No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are lost after a vessel transporting approximately two hundred migrants attempting to reach European shores overturned near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and data indicates in excess of nine thousand individuals have died trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces began a rescue mission, using several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the defence ministry reported.
Officials state a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven people who perished at sea have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with several North African nations aimed at limiting illegal migration.
