Thirty West Africans drown off coast

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

YAOUNDE- - At least 30 West Africans drowned when their boat capsized off the coast of Cameroon, en route to Gabon from Nigeria, state radio reported on Tuesday.

"A boat capsized at about 5:30 pm on Monday... killing 30 of the estimated 60 passengers on board," it said.

Cameroonian fisherman sighted the boat in trouble and managed to rescue about 30 passengers, who were from various countries in the region, including Nigeria, Mali, Benin, Togo and Niger.

With night falling and rough seas, the search for other survivors had to be abandoned, the radio said.

Those rescued were taken to hospital in Kribi, a port town, which is the terminus of an oil pipeline from southern Chad.