At least 89 bodies found after migrant boat capsizes off Mauritanian coast

At least 89 bodies have been recovered off the coast of Mauritania after a migrant boat capsized this week, the West African country’s state news agency and the head of afishing association said.

The Atlantic migration route from the coast of West Africa to the Canary Islands, typically used by African migrants trying to reach Spain, is one of the world’s deadliest. Summer is its busiest period.

Mauritania’s state news agency said on Thursday that the coast guard had recovered the bodies of 89 migrants who were bound for Europe on a boat that was carrying 170 people.

It said that nine people, including a five-year-old girl, were rescued.

Mauritanian authorities could not be reached for comment.