At least seven individuals lost their lives and many others are lost in the wake of a boat ferrying around two hundred migrants attempting to reach Europe capsized in waters near the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have died in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defence ministry reported.
Authorities say a number of those who died are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who died have been recovered, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is one of the routes taken by migrants trying to reach Europe, often on dangerous journeys across ocean and terrain.
In recent years, the EU has forged deals with multiple North African countries aimed at limiting illegal migration.
