No fewer than seven souls lost their lives and numerous others are lost in the wake of a vessel transporting approximately two hundred people attempting to reach the European continent sank off the coast of the Gambian coast, reports confirm.
The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been saved to date and a search is continuing for those still missing who were on board the sunken boat that was bound for Spain's Canary Islands.
The hazardous trip over the the Atlantic has grown into a more frequent path for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Nearly 47,000 people made it to the Canary Islands in last year and data indicates over 9,000 migrants perished during the journey.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy launched a search-and-rescue operation, deploying a number of military boats and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not Gambian nationals and that their nationalities are still under confirmation.
The deceased of the seven people who perished at sea were found, and a dozen of the saved are described as being in serious condition and getting immediate medical attention.
An Established Corridor
Gambia is a common pathway taken by migrants attempting to enter European countries, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Recently, the European bloc has established pacts with multiple North African nations with the goal of limiting illegal migration.
