Numerous People Missing Following Boat Carrying 200 Migrants Goes Down near the coast of Gambia.
No fewer than seven souls have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for in the wake of a boat transporting approximately two hundred migrants seeking to enter European shores capsized in waters near Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight close to Jinack village in the northern bank region and it was later found "grounded on a sandbank", the country's defence ministry announced officially.
Ninety-six people have been rescued so far and a search is continuing for those still missing who were traveling on the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has grown into a more frequent path for migrants from Africa seeking entry into Europe.
Close to 47,000 individuals made it to the Spanish archipelago in last year and figures suggest in excess of 9,000 people have lost their lives in the attempt.
Rescue Operation
Following the Wednesday incident, the navy launched a search operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that came to assist, the defence ministry said.
Reports indicate several of the victims are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The deceased of the seven individuals who perished at sea have been retrieved, and ten of the survivors are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
A Frequent Pathway
Gambia is a common pathway used by migrants seeking to get to European countries, typically through perilous trips over water and land.
In recent years, the European Union has reached agreements with multiple North African countries aimed at limiting irregular migration.
