At least seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are lost in the wake of a craft transporting around 200 migrants trying to get to European shores overturned near the shoreline of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The craft flipped in the early hours of Thursday in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Canaries in last year and estimates in excess of nine thousand individuals have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the defense officials reported.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven individuals who drowned were found, and ten of the survivors are said to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages over water and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with several Maghreb states designed to reducing irregular migration.
