At least seven people have died and many others are missing in the wake of a craft carrying around 200 migrants seeking to enter Europe overturned off the coast of The Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a rescue operation continues for the remaining passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Nearly 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces began a search operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that joined the effort, the military confirmed.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants seeking to get to Europe, frequently via hazardous voyages across ocean and terrain.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with several North African countries designed to reducing irregular migration.
