A minimum of seven souls have perished and many others are missing after a craft transporting approximately two hundred people trying to get to Europe overturned in waters near The Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African asylum seekers trying to reach the EU.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and data indicates over 9,000 people have lost their lives trying.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search operation, involving several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the military said.
Officials state a number of those who died are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who drowned were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter the EU, often on hazardous voyages by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has reached agreements with a number of North African countries designed to curtailing irregular migration.
