An AFM aircraft on Frontex deployment in Spain identified a dinghy packed with migrants, which led to the rescue of 18 people.

The AFM’s KingAir, photographed the dinghy early on Thursday with more than 30 people on board.

Following a rescue operation, 14 bodies were recovered, and 18 people - 14 men and four women, one of them pregnant - were rescued.

It is understood that the dinghy left Morocco early on Wednesday with more than 70 people on board. Around 40 people are still missing.