Dozens Missing After Craft Carrying 200 Migrants Sinks in waters off the Gambian coast.

At least seven people lost their lives and numerous others are lost after a boat carrying around 200 migrants trying to get to the European continent capsized near the shoreline of Gambia, reports confirm.

The boat overturned late Wednesday night in the vicinity of Jinack village in the North Bank area and it was afterwards located "stranded on a sandbar", the country's defence ministry said in a statement.

Nearly one hundred people were pulled to safety and a search is continuing for the remaining passengers who were on board the shipwrecked vessel that was heading towards the Spanish Canary Islands.

The perilous journey over the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as a rising pathway for migrants from Africa seeking entry into the EU.

Close to 47,000 individuals arrived at the Spanish archipelago in last year and data indicates over nine thousand individuals perished in the attempt.

Rescue Operation

Following the Wednesday incident, The Gambian Navy initiated a search-and-rescue operation, deploying several naval vessels and a fishing vessel that offered help, the defense officials reported.

Reports indicate some of the deceased are not from The Gambia and that their identities are still being verified.

The remains of the seven victims who perished at sea have been recovered, and ten of the survivors are reported to be in grave health and getting immediate medical attention.

A Frequent Pathway

Gambia is a common pathway utilized by asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe, typically through perilous trips over water and land.

Over the past few years, the EU has established pacts with multiple North African nations designed to reducing irregular migration.