At least seven people lost their lives and many others are missing following a craft carrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants reached the Canaries in last year and data indicates over 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing boat that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Officials state some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers seeking to get to the EU, often on dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European bloc has established pacts with several North African countries aimed at curtailing undocumented migration.
