Some 87 irregular migrants have drowned off the coast of Ndiago city in southern Mauritania yesterday, Anadolu reported citing local media.

This was a result of a boat carrying around 184 irregular migrants sinking off the Mauritanian coast, the local Al-Akhbar news agency reported.

“So far, 87 bodies have been recovered, while 36 survivors were rescued,” the broadcaster said. Local authorities continue to search for the missing.

The majority of the migrants on the capsized boat were Senegalese along with migrants from other African countries, the news agency said.

Mauritania is a major transit point for African migrants seeking to cross to Europe. Despite lacking specific statistics, authorities assert that their security strategy against irregular migration has been successful, with well-regulated and protected coastal areas and border crossings.

Last February, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €522 million ($565) in aid to Mauritania to address irregular migration.