Migrants drown off Turkish coast

At least 40 bodies were recovered in the port of Seferihisar, near Izmir

At least 40 migrants have drowned in the Aegean Sea off the western coast of Turkey, officials say.

The bodies were found washed up on the shore near the city of Izmir. Six people were rescued, officials told Turkey's Anatolia news agency.

They say the boat was overloaded, carrying more than 60 people when it sank on Saturday in poor weather.

The Aegean Sea is a major route for illegal immigrants trying to enter the European Union.

Correspondents say smugglers often take them from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands on fragile, overcrowded boats.

Two of those rescued were reported to be Palestinians.