At least seven individuals lost their lives and numerous others are lost after a boat carrying around 200 migrants trying to get to Europe sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, authorities say.
The craft flipped late Wednesday night near Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "grounded on a sandbank", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the sunken boat that was heading towards the Canary Islands of Spain.
The dangerous voyage over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa trying to reach the EU.
Close to 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates over 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the military reported.
Reports indicate some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven victims who perished at sea have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants trying to reach the EU, frequently via dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has forged deals with a number of North African countries with the goal of reducing undocumented migration.
