A minimum of seven people have died and numerous others remain unaccounted for following a boat carrying approximately 200 migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for African migrants attempting to get to Europe.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and figures suggest over 9,000 people have lost their lives trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, The Gambian Navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, involving multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military reported.
Officials state some of the deceased are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The remains of the seven people who drowned have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to the EU, frequently via perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with multiple North African countries with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
