The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Ankara

Rescuers have recovered the bodies of 40 people who drowned after a boat carrying at least 60 would-be immigrants sank at the weekend in the Aegean Sea off western Turkey, a local official said Monday.

"Forty bodies have been found so far and only six survivors," said Orhan Sefik Guldibi, the top administrative official in Seferihisar, near the city of Izmir. "We still have hope of finding survivors, but every passing hour is working to our disadvantage," Guldibi told AFP by telephone.

The 15-metre boat was believed to have capsized late Saturday because of poor weather conditions and because it was overloaded with passengers, he said.

"We do not know for sure where the vessel set out from or where it capsized," Guldibi said.

The boat was believed to be heading to the Greek island of Chios, northwest of Seferihisar.

Turkish authorities were alerted to the incident late Sunday when some of the survivors swam ashore and locals reported hearing cries for help coming from the sea.

It was not immediately clear how many immigrants were aboard the vessel.

Guldibi said survivors spoke of the ship carrying 60 to 70 people, while the coast guard said in a written statement that there were some 85 people on board.

The nationalities of the immigrants were not immediately clear, but Guldibi said they believed the majority of them were Palestinians, Somalis and Iraqis.