No fewer than seven individuals have perished and a significant number remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat transporting approximately 200 migrants trying to get to European shores overturned in waters near Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in last year and estimates over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces launched a search operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry said.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, frequently via perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with several Maghreb states with the goal of limiting undocumented migration.
