At least seven people have perished and many others remain unaccounted for following a boat ferrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores overturned off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the shipwrecked vessel that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African migrants seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, often on perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple North African countries aimed at curtailing illegal migration.
