No fewer than seven people lost their lives and numerous others are missing following a boat carrying around 200 people attempting to reach European shores sank off the coast of Gambia, authorities say.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "beached on a shoal", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were traveling on 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 seeking entry into the EU.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants made it to the Canaries in last year and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants perished trying.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defense officials said.
Officials state several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven individuals who drowned have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
A Frequent Pathway
The Gambia is one of the routes taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the European bloc has forged deals with multiple Maghreb states designed to limiting irregular migration.
