Several burnt bodies found in a boat near the Libyan coastal town of Sabratha

Libyan rescue workers have found at least 15 bodies on the coast near the coastal town of Sabratha.

The bodies must have been burned and scattered over the beach.

Several dead were also found burned in a stranded boat, says an employee of the Red Crescent, according to Reuters.

The dead are believed to be migrants caught up in a dispute between two rival groups of human smugglers.

This according to a security source in Sabratha, reports Reuters.

Pictures spread on social media

Several images and a video of a burning boat that appears to be the same boat as the one where the bodies were found are circulating on social media, but no images have been verified so far.

It is also not clear from the images how and when the boat was set on fire, AP writes.