At least seven individuals lost their lives and a significant number are lost following a vessel carrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter the European continent capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals made it to the Canaries in last year and figures suggest over 9,000 people have died during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, involving a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven victims who died were found, and ten of the survivors are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, frequently via hazardous voyages over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of Maghreb states aimed at reducing undocumented migration.
