A minimum of seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are missing in the wake of a craft transporting approximately two hundred migrants seeking to enter the European continent overturned off the coast of The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was subsequently discovered "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities announced officially.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a rescue operation continues for those still missing who were on board the capsized craft that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for migrants from Africa attempting to get to European nations.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in last year and estimates over 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, Gambia's naval forces initiated a search-and-rescue operation, involving a number of military boats and a fishing boat that offered help, the military reported.
Officials state some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are said to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.
A Common Migration Route
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, often on hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has established pacts with multiple North African nations aimed at curtailing irregular migration.
