IOM chief, Vitorino, says at least 20 migrants drown off Djibouti coast

Thu, Mar 4, 2021
By editor
1 MIN READ

society

António Vitorino, Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has announced that at least 20 migrants have drowned off the coast of Djibouti after being thrown off a boat by smugglers.

In a tweet on Wednesday evening, he wrote: “Grim news of more migrant deaths off the coast of Djibouti today (Wednesday). At least 20 migrants drowned and 60 others are in distress after being thrown off a boat by smugglers. Prosecuting traffickers and smugglers who prey on the vulnerabilities of migrants must be a priority.”

Media reports said the migrants were thrown off the boat when the smugglers realised the boat was overloaded.

The reports said there were some 200 migrants on the boat which was carrying them to Yemen. (PANA/NAN)

Mar 4, 2021 @ 5;58pm

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