At least seven people lost their lives and many others are missing following a boat transporting about 200 migrants trying to get to Europe overturned off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The vessel capsized late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa attempting to get to Europe.
Nearly 47,000 individuals reached the Canaries in last year and data indicates in excess of 9,000 migrants have died trying.
Rescue Operation
After Wednesday's accident, the navy initiated a rescue mission, using multiple navy ships and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry said.
Authorities say a number of those who died are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The deceased of the seven people who drowned have been retrieved, and 10 of those rescued are reported to be in grave health and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
This West African nation is a common pathway taken by migrants attempting to enter the EU, typically through perilous trips across ocean and terrain.
Over the past few years, the EU has forged deals with a number of North African nations with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
