At least seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are missing following a craft carrying about 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores sank near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest more than 9,000 people have died trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces launched a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the military said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven people who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants attempting to enter European countries, often on perilous trips by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with a number of North African countries with the goal of curtailing irregular migration.
