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.

Over 40 Pakistanis are feared dead after a boat capsized near West Africa's coast. Departing from Mauritania, they aimed to reach Europe. Pakistani President Zardari calls for stronger anti-trafficking measures.

Their boat capsized off West Africa's Atlantic coastline, which has emerged as a primary point of departure for migrants aiming to reach Europe. View on euronews

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

President Asif ... Zardari's comments in a statement late Thursday came after a Spain-based migrant rights group, Walking Borders, said that 50 people had died on their way to the Canary Islands ...