A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and a significant number are lost following a boat ferrying approximately 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized near the shoreline of Gambia, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Canaries in last year and data indicates in excess of 9,000 people perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the disaster, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
An Established Corridor
This West African nation is a frequent corridor utilized by migrants attempting to enter the EU, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European bloc has reached agreements with multiple North African countries designed to reducing irregular migration.
