Scores Unaccounted For Following Craft Carrying 200 Asylum Seekers Goes Down off the Gambian coast.
At least seven people have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for after a boat transporting around 200 people trying to get to the European continent capsized off the coast of Gambia, officials state.
The vessel capsized on Wednesday midnight near Jinack in the North Bank Region and it was subsequently discovered "beached on a shoal", the nation's defense ministry said in a statement.
Ninety-six people were pulled to safety and a hunt is ongoing for those still missing who were traveling on the capsized craft that was en route to Spain's Canary Islands.
The dangerous voyage over the Atlantic Ocean has become an increasingly common route for African migrants trying to reach European nations.
Close to 47,000 people arrived at the Canary Islands in last year and figures suggest over 9,000 migrants have lost their lives trying.
Ongoing Mission
After Wednesday's accident, the navy began a search-and-rescue operation, involving several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defence ministry said.
Authorities say some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their details are still being checked.
The remains of the seven victims who died have been recovered, and 10 of those rescued are said to be in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.
A Common Migration Route
Gambia is a frequent corridor used by migrants attempting to enter Europe, often on dangerous journeys by sea and land.
Over the past few years, the European Union has established pacts with a number of North African countries with the goal of reducing illegal migration.
