A minimum of seven people lost their lives and a significant number are missing in the wake of a boat transporting about 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent overturned off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Nearly 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, using a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the defense officials said.
Authorities say several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven individuals who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with a number of Maghreb states with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
