At least 25 people lost their lives off the Comoros Islands after traffickers deliberately capsized their boat on Friday night, the United Nations migration agency, IOM, reported on Monday. This marks the third tragic incident in the region in the past 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 the Comoros Islands, between Anjouan and Mayotte on Friday night,” IOM stated.
According to the IOM, the vessel was carrying around 30 people from various nationalities, including seven women and four children. Only five survivors were rescued by local fishermen on Saturday morning.
In September, a boat with 12 people failed to reach Mayotte from Anjouan, and in August, a similar incident claimed eight lives. The IOM noted that thousands have perished on this perilous route since 2011, as migrants attempt to reach Mayotte, an island officially governed by France but claimed by Comoros.
