MOGADISHU/ANTANARIVO (Reuters) – At least 22 Somali nationals died when two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Madagascar over the weekend, Somalia’s Information Minister Daud Aweis said.
The Port, Maritime and River Authority of Madagascar (APMF) said the ships had set sail from Somalia for the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on November 2, a journey of several hundred kilometres.
On Saturday, the port authority reported that local fishermen discovered the first drifting boat near Nosy Iranja on Friday. They rescued 25 people, including 10 men and 15 women, but seven occupants died, the authority said.
A second ship with 38 people on board arrived at Madagascar’s Port du Cratère, according to the APMF. The maritime authority did not reveal the death toll from the second ship, but confirmed the rescue of 23 people.
Somali Information Minister Aweis, citing information from his Madagascar counterparts, 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 32 people,” Aweis told state television late Sunday.
In recent decades, thousands of people have attempted to cross into Mayotte, which has a higher standard of living and access to the French welfare system.
Mayotte is officially part of France, although Comoros claims it.
Aweis said Somalia will investigate where the boats departed from and called those who organized the trip criminals involved in illicit immigration.
“This is also a warning message to those who want to immigrate illegally before they leave and die that way. It is unfortunate that people still go despite the danger,” he added.
In early November, at least 25 people died off the Comoros Islands after smugglers capsized their boat.