No fewer than seven souls have died and many others are lost in the wake of a craft transporting about two hundred migrants seeking to enter the European continent capsized off the coast of The Gambia, authorities say.
The craft flipped on Wednesday midnight in the vicinity of the village of Jinack in the North Bank area and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the Gambian military authorities stated in a release.
Nearly one hundred people have been rescued so far and a hunt is ongoing for other passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.
Almost forty-seven thousand migrants arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and estimates over 9,000 migrants perished in the attempt.
Ongoing Mission
Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy launched a rescue mission, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing boat that offered help, the military confirmed.
Authorities say several of the victims are foreign nationals and that their identities are still being verified.
The remains of the seven victims who perished at sea were found, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in grave health and undergoing emergency treatment.
An Established Corridor
The Gambia is a frequent corridor taken by migrants attempting to enter European countries, typically through dangerous journeys over water and land.
In recent years, the EU has established pacts with several North African nations designed to curtailing undocumented migration.
