No fewer than seven individuals lost their lives and a significant number are missing following a boat transporting around two hundred people attempting to reach European shores capsized off the coast of Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces launched a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is one of the routes utilized by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states designed to limiting illegal migration.
