At least seven souls lost their lives and a significant number remain unaccounted for after a craft carrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores sank in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for other passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Spanish archipelago in last year and data indicates more than 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy began a search operation, deploying a number of military boats and a commercial fishing craft that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who drowned were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants trying to reach the EU, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has established pacts with a number of North African nations with the goal of curtailing undocumented migration.
