Over 200 people, mostly children, have gone missing off the coast of Sierra Leone after their overcrowded vessel capsized in eastern Atlantic Ocean.

Rescue officials in the western African nation said on Thursday that they have so far managed to pluck 40 passengers alive from the coastal areas around Sierra Leone.

They have also recovered 16 bodies as another 213 people are still missing, AP reported.

"We are not expecting any more survivors because of the turbulence of the sea in the area where the accident happened," said the Sierra Leonean Naval Lieutenant Commander, Mao Suma.

"The sea is so turbulent and the tide very strong that it is difficult for anyone to swim," the military official in charge of the rescue efforts went on to say.

The travelers were on their way home from vacations when their watercraft overturned.

Suma told reporters that the overloaded wooden ferry had 268 passengers onboard while sailing between rural areas around the capital Freetown when the mishap occurred.

Security officials have found the boat but failed to save more lives.

High winds and the rough sea have been identified as the cause of the accident which remains common in West Africa as many citizens prefer sea routes to poor road networks for commuting.

ARQN/DT