No fewer than 25 people lost their lives after a boat driven by alleged traffickers capsized on the Comoros islands.
This was announced by the United Nations’ migration agency IOM on Monday, saying this was the third such incident in three months.
“IOM Comoros is saddened to hear about the deaths of at least 25 people after their boat was deliberately capsized by traffickers off Comoros Islands, between Anjouan and Mayotte on Friday night,” IOM said in a stateme
The global organisation said, according to survivors, said the boat was carrying around 30 people from different nationalities, among them seven women and four children.
“Five survivors were rescued by fishermen on Saturday morning,” IOM said.
Recall that a similar incident happened in September when a boat carrying 12 people sailing from Anjouan failed to reach Mayotte.
Also in August, eight people died in a similar incident, IOM said, adding that thousands have died on this route since 2011 while attempting to reach Mayotte.
Mayotte is officially part of France, although Comoros claims it.
In Nigeria, at least 18 bodies were recovered while six persons were declared missing after a boat capsized in the Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State in July.
A resident, Lawal Sakatare, who confirmed the incident, said 24 persons on Sallah celebrations were onboard the ill-fated canoe when it capsized and 18 persons, majority of whom were young children, drowned.