A minimum of seven people lost their lives and many others remain unaccounted for after a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants trying to get to Europe overturned off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned in the early hours of Thursday close to the village of Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Spanish archipelago in last year and estimates over nine thousand individuals perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry reported.
Reports indicate a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The bodies of the seven victims who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers trying to reach the EU, typically through dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the EU has reached agreements with multiple North African countries with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
