At least seven individuals lost their lives and many others are lost in the wake of a craft transporting approximately 200 migrants attempting to reach the European continent sank near the shoreline of The Gambia, reports confirm.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night close to Jinack in the northern bank region and it was later found "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities said in a statement.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for the remaining passengers who were aboard the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The perilous journey over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African asylum seekers trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people made it to the Spanish archipelago in last year and data indicates over 9,000 people perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy initiated a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a commercial fishing craft that joined the effort, the defense officials confirmed.
Officials state a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The bodies of the seven victims who drowned have been retrieved, and a dozen of the saved are said to be in critical condition and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway used by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
Recently, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African countries aimed at limiting illegal migration.
