At least seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are lost in the wake of a vessel transporting approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe overturned near the shoreline of Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canary Islands in last year and estimates more than 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that came to assist, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is one of the routes used by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has established pacts with a number of North African nations designed to curtailing undocumented migration.