The Mauritanian coastguard on Sunday rescued 141 migrants from a vessel adrift off the west African coast, official sources told AFP.

In recent years Mauritania has become a frequent departure point for African migrants risking the perilous Atlantic route to Europe in often unseaworthy vessels in the hopes of a better life.

"These are 141 illegal immigration hopefuls, including 88 Senegalese, 44 Gambians, of whom 17 are women and two of them children, four Guineans and two Malians," the Mauritanian Ministry of Fisheries said.

The rescue took place off the coast of the city of Nouadhibou in Mauritania.