The United Nations (UN) migration agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday, November 4 that at least 25 people lost their lives off the Comoros Islands after traffickers sank their boat.
The traffickers sank the boat on Friday, November 1 resulting in the death of 25 passengers.
“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 statement.
According to survivors, the boat was carrying approximately 30 people of various nationalities, including seven women and four children.
“Five survivors were rescued by fishermen on Saturday morning,” The UN migration agency added.
The IOM stated that earlier in the month of September, a boat with 12 people on board, traveling from Anjouan, was unable to reach Mayotte which officially a part of France although Comoros claims sovereignty over the island.
A similar incident occured in the month of August which resulted in the deaths of eight people.
The agency also noted that thousands have died trying to reach Mayotte on this route since 2011.
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