At least seven souls have died and numerous others are missing following a craft transporting about two hundred people attempting to reach the European continent overturned near the shoreline of Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was bound for the Spanish Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canaries in last year and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants have died during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military said.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with several Maghreb states aimed at limiting irregular migration.
