15 people have died and over 150 are missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Mauritania in northwestern Africa.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there were 300 migrants on board the boat. 120 people have been rescued by Mauritania's coast guard.
"Unfortunately, 15 people were confirmed dead upon arrival," the organization writes in a statement.
The accident occurred on Monday. Among those who have been rescued so far are four children who have been separated from their parents.
Nearly 20,000 migrants have arrived on the Canary Islands via the Mauritania route this year, which is almost three times as many as during the same period last year, according to IOM. At least 1,950 migrants died on the way last year, which the organization claims was the second deadliest year ever.
