Eighteen of 51 DRC migrants abandoned by smugglers drown

Eighteen of 51 Democratic Republic of Congo migrants abandoned by smugglers drown near the beach of Mitsamiouli, in the north of Grande Comore island have reportedly died.

The people were abandoned at sea by smugglers on the night of 18 March.

Forced to swim to shore, several migrants drowned due to exhaustion and difficult conditions. Residents, alerted by the migrants’ cries for help, mobilized and carried out rescue efforts. Thirty migrants were rescued during the night, while eight bodies were recovered. On the afternoon of 19 March, the Coast Guard and local fishermen recovered an additional ten bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll to 18. Three persons remain missing with search and rescue efforts ongoing.

All those on board have identified themselves as nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Survivors reported that the group departed from the DRC, travelling overland to the United Republic of Tanzania before boarding a vessel bound for Comoros, where they were abandoned at sea by smugglers near the northern coast of Grande Comore. Among the dead are women and children, with the youngest victim reported to be three years old. The 30 survivors are currently receiving medical care at Mitsamiouli hospital and are expected to be transferred to Moroni for further assistance.