A minimum of seven souls have perished and a significant number are missing in the wake of a craft ferrying about 200 people seeking to enter Europe sank in waters near Gambia, officials state.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night near Jinack in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
96 individuals have been saved to date and a search is continuing for other passengers who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for African asylum seekers attempting to get to European nations.
Close to forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Search and Rescue Efforts
After Wednesday's accident, the navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the military reported.
Officials state some of the deceased are not Gambian nationals and that their details are still being checked.
The bodies of the seven people who perished at sea have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor used by asylum seekers attempting to enter European countries, frequently via hazardous voyages by sea and land.
Recently, the European Union has forged deals with a number of North African nations with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
