The Tragedy Repeats: A Migrant Boat Sinks Off the Coast of Mauritania

At least 69 people have died and around 100 others are missing, more than 48 hours after a migrant boat sank off the coast of Mauritania, according to the Mauritanian coast guard and gendarmerie reported to AFP on Friday.

A senior coast guard official explained that "one of our patrols managed to rescue 17 people," adding that "69 bodies have been recovered and buried so far, and search operations are still ongoing."

The official noted that the incident occurred late Tuesday night into Wednesday, when the migrants attempted to approach the light of a town on the coast about 80 kilometers northeast of Nouakchott, leading to the capsizing of the boat.

He added that the boat left Gambia a week ago and was carrying about 160 people, including citizens from Senegal and Gambia, according to statements from survivors.