60 migrants feared drowned off west Africa

There are fears that up to 60 migrants have drowned in a sinking boat off Guinea-Bissau, on West Africa's Atlantic coast.

Around 60 migrants are missing and believed drowned after their boat was seen sinking off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, a coast guard commander says.

The coast guard saw the canoe in difficulty off-shore on Monday, but was not able to deploy a boat in response, Victor Siga told Reuters on Wednesday.

He said wreckage has since been found, but no bodies have been recovered.