MADRID, Feb 8 (Reuters) - At least 400 Asian and African migrants stranded on a freighter off Mauritania for nearly a week risk health problems, Spain's Red Cross said on Thursday, urging countries to find a rapid solution.

Food, water and hygiene supplies are on their way to the stricken vessel as Spain, Mauritania and other West African countries argue over responsibility for the migrants who are thought to be from Africa, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

"We are looking for a short-term solution to avoid the possible worsening of the health and psychological state of the immigrants," the Red Cross said in a statement.

The Marine 1 is believed to have set sail from Guinea on its way to Spain's Canary Islands, sending an SOS signal after its motors broke down in international waters off Senegal on Feb. 2.

It was intercepted the following day by a Spanish coastguard vessel which towed the freighter to its position off Mauritania's northern fishing port of Nouadhibou.

Mauritania on Monday refused to take responsibility for the migrants, despite pressure from Madrid, while Senegal says it lacks the facilities to take in the boat.

The Marine 1 has become a diplomatic test case for Spain, which stepped up ties with West Africa last year in a bid to stem soaring illegal migration to the Canaries.

The ship's passengers are the latest group of Europe-bound migrants to find themselves stranded at sea while countries argue over them.

A group of African migrants spent days stranded on a Spanish fishing boat off Malta last July as Mediterranean states negotiated over their fate.

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