At least seven individuals have died and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat carrying about 200 people seeking to enter the European continent capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to European nations.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in last year and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy launched a rescue mission, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who perished at sea have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with a number of Maghreb states designed to curtailing irregular migration.
