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.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — More than 40 Pakistanis are 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. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the deaths and stressed the need for strict measures to curb human trafficking.

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

The tragedy comes just a day after a similar incident near Morocco killed at least 50 people, including several Pakistanis.

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.