Islamabad: More than 40 Pakistanis were feared to have drowned in the capsizing of a boat off West Africa's Atlantic coastline, which has emerged as a primary point of departure for migrants aiming to reach Europe.

Pakistan said that the boat, carrying 80 passengers including some Pakistanis, had set off from Mauritania on their way to the Canary Islands.

Dubai: Around 50 Pakistani nationals have tragically lost their lives in a migrant boat tragedy while attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean illegally en route to Europe, according to an NGO and the victims’ families.