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At least 22 Somalis killed after boat capsizes off Madagascar: official – SABC News

Posted on by Gerres
At least 22 Somalis killed after boat capsizes off Madagascar: official – SABC News

At least 22 Somali citizens died when two boats carrying migrants capsized off the coast Madagascar over the weekend, said Somalia’s Information Minister Daud Aweis.

The Madagascar Ports, Maritime and River Authority (APMF) said the boats left Somalia for Mayotte in the French territory in the Indian Ocean on November 2, covering a route of several hundred kilometers.

On Saturday, the port authorities reported that local fishermen had discovered the first drifting boat on Friday near Nosy Iranja. Authorities said 25 people were rescued, including 10 men and 15 women, but seven residents died.

According to the APMF, a second boat carrying 38 people arrived in Port du Cratère, Madagascar.

Maritime authorities did not reveal the death toll of the second boat but confirmed that 23 people had been rescued.

Somalia’s Information Minister Aweis, citing information from his counterparts in Madagascar, confirmed the total death toll at 22.

“There were about 70 Somalis, 22 of them died. One boat was carrying 38 people and the other was carrying 32 people,” Aweis said on state television on Sunday evening.

In recent decades, thousands of people have tried to reach Mayotte, which has a higher standard of living and access to the French social welfare system.

Mayotte is officially part of France, although Comoros claims it is.

Aweis said Somalia would investigate where the boats originated from, calling the tour operators criminals involved in illegal immigration.

“It is also a warning to those who want to immigrate illegally before they leave and die like this. It is unfortunate that people continue to travel despite the danger,” he added.

In early November, at least 25 people died off the Comoros coast after traffickers capsized their boat.