At least 89 migrants dead after boat capsizes off Mauritania, state news agency says

Dangerous Atlantic ocean route is gaining popularity because of increased vigilance by authorities in the Mediterranean

Nearly 90 migrants bound for Europe died and dozens more are missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania earlier this week, the state news agency and a local official said on Thursday,

The Mauritanian coast guard recovered the bodies of 89 people aboard a large traditional fishing boat that capsized on Monday July 1 on the coast of the Atlantic ocean" about four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the country's south-west city of Ndiago, the state news agency said.