Somalia's Radio Shabeelle said the boat had been discovered after the disaster, which took place in rough seas some time in the last few days.

The crew survived, but the passengers - all of them thought to be Somalis - were all reported to have perished.

There have been several recent cases of migrants dying at sea while trying to leave poverty-stricken Somalia.

'$500 voyage'

Reports say the vessel capsized in rough seas off the Somali coast, after setting off from the port of Mareer, near Boosaaso in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland.

Many Somalis attempt to reach Yemen, before going on to Saudi Arabia.

In January last year, at least 80 people, mostly Somalis, were reported to have died when their boat caught fire on its way to Yemen.

In April 2002, more than 90 people perished when they attempted the trip and their boat foundered in rough seas.

The voyage is said to take four to five days, and to cost around $500 per person.