The Mauritanian coast guard last night recovered the bodies of 89 irregular migrants who were on board a large traditional fishing boat that ran aground off the Atlantic Ocean, the Mauritanian news agency said on Friday.

The boat ran aground off the village of Cairo, eight kilometres from the city of N’Djago, the official agency said, adding that the coast guard rescued nine people, including a five-year-old girl.

The boat had set off from Senegal’s border with Gambia about six days ago, travelling to Europe with 170 migrants on board.

Mauritania is classified as a major transit point for irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe.

Last March, the Mauritanian government signed a joint agreement with the European Union (EU) to combat irregular migration and coordinate their cooperation to combat the phenomenon.