No fewer than seven souls have died and many others remain unaccounted for after a craft carrying approximately 200 people trying to get to Europe sank in waters near The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was bound for the Canary Islands of Spain.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and estimates in excess of 9,000 migrants have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Reports indicate several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and ten of the survivors are described as being in critical condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by migrants seeking to get to Europe, often on perilous trips over water and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has established pacts with multiple North African nations designed to curtailing illegal migration.
