At least 69 migrants, mainly from Gambia and Senegal, have died, and dozens are missing after their overcrowded boat capsized off the Mauritanian coast.
The vessel, carrying around 160 people, capsized near Mheijrat after passengers rushed to one side when they spotted coastal lights. Only 17 survivors were rescued; they said the boat had left Gambia over a week ago.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but the chances of finding more survivors are diminishing rapidly. Mauritania, with more than 700 km of Atlantic coastline, has become a key transit route for African migrants seeking to reach Europe.
