No fewer than seven individuals have perished and a significant number are lost in the wake of a vessel transporting about 200 migrants attempting to reach European shores capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, officials state.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for other passengers who were traveling on the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals perished during the journey.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven victims who died were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway utilized by migrants attempting to enter the EU, often on dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple Maghreb states aimed at limiting illegal migration.
