A minimum of seven people lost their lives and many others are lost after a vessel carrying about 200 migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry stated in a release.
96 individuals have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 individuals made it to the Canary Islands in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces launched a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Officials state several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor taken by migrants seeking to get to European countries, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African countries designed to limiting irregular migration.
