At least seven souls have died and a significant number are missing after a boat transporting about 200 people seeking to enter European shores sank off the coast of Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been saved to date and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into Europe.
Almost 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and data indicates more than nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy initiated a rescue mission, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the military said.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
This West African nation is one of the routes used by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with a number of North African nations with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
