At least 22 somalis citizens died when two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Madagascar over the weekend,somalia’s information minister da,ud aweis said.
Madagascar’s port,maritime and river authority (APMF) said the boats had set sail from Somalia for the French Indian ocean territory of mayotte on Nov.2, a journey of several hundred kilometres.
On Saturday,the port authority reported that local fishermen discovered the first boat drifting on Friday near Nosy Iranja.They rescued 25 people,including 10 men and 15 women but seven accupants died,the authority said.
A second carrying 38 people arrived at Madagascar’s porr du Cratere,according to APMF.The maritime authoritu did not disclose a death toll for the second boat but confirmed the rescue of 23 people.
Somali information minister aweis,citing information from his counterparts in madagacascae,confirmed the total death at 22.
“They were about 70 somalis,22 of them died.One boat was carrying 38 people and the other boat was carrying 32 people,”Aweis said on state owned television late on Sunday.
In recent decaded thousands of people have attempted to make the crossing to mayotte,wich has a higher standard of living and access to the French welfare system.
Mayotte is officialy part of France,although Comoros claims it.
Aweis said Somalia will investgate where the boats sailed from,terming those who organized the trip as criminals involved in illicit immigration.
“This is also a message of warning to those who want to immigrate illegaly before they go and die in such manner.It is unfortunate people still go despite danger,”he added.
In early November,at least 25 people died off Comoros islands after traffickers capsized their boat.
Reporting by Abdi Sheikh in Mogadishu and Lovasoa Rabary in Antananarivo; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Toby Chopra.
Source:Reuters