Migrant bodies washed up in Gabon

Migrants often attempt sea journeys in ill-equipped boats

The bodies of at least 12 would-be migrants who died when their boat was wrecked have been found washed up in Libreville, Gabon.

A small wooden boat of the kind often used by migrants was found broken on the rocks not far from the bodies.

It appeared the migrants had been trying to reach Gabon from other West African countries, an official said.

Gabon's relative wealth, from oil sales, has made it an attractive destination for migrants.

Gabon's official population is less than one and a half million but the interior minister says there are at least 400,000 illegal immigrants in the country.

The bodies washed up in Libreville were all adult males, police said.

Traffickers often cram migrants into open boats powered by old motors and poor quality fuel, correspondents say.