AROUND 30 bodies have been found on a boat drifting off the coast of Senegal.

Senegal’s navy was informed of the vessel’s presence on Sunday evening and a patrol boat was sent to the area, 38 nautical miles from the capital Dakar, Ibrahima Sow, a spokesperson for Senegal’s military said in a statement.

He added: “So far, 30 bodies have been counted.”

According to the military, the “advanced state of decomposition of the bodies” is making the identification process “very difficult.”

They added that investigations will provide more information on the death toll and the boat’s origin.

Earlier this month, a boat carrying 89 people capsized off the coast of Senegal.

At least 37 people died, according to Senegalese authorities.

Many of the migrants leaving West Africa through Senegal flee due to conflict, poverty and a lack of jobs.

Most head to the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago, which is used as a stepping stone to continental Europe.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 22,300 people have landed on the Canary Islands, 126 per cent more than the same period last year, according to Spain’s Interior Ministry.

Last month, the Senegalese army said it had arrested 453 migrants and "members of smuggling networks" as part of a 12-day operation patrolling the coastline.