23/11/2024
Heartless Smugglers Abandon 70 Somali Nationals at Sea, Leading to Tragic Loss of Life
Mogadishu, Somalia – In a shocking act of cruelty, smugglers abandoned 70 Somali nationals at sea, leaving them stranded without food, water, or shelter for over a week. The survivors, who were part of a group attempting to reach Mayotte Island, a French territory in the Comoros Archipelago, recounted their harrowing ordeal after the smugglers cut the engines of their boats and deserted them.
The ill-fated journey began in Mombasa, Kenya, where the victims had paid smugglers to transport them to Mayotte. However, after the smugglers removed the boats’ motors and abandoned them mid-sea, the group was left to drift in open waters for 13 days. The passengers, many of whom were already struggling from dehydration, hunger, and exhaustion, had no means of survival. Tragically, 28 people perished during the ordeal, succumbing to the extreme conditions.
Survivors described the experience as one of sheer desperation, with some resorting to drinking seawater and trying to signal passing ships. Despite their efforts, they were left without rescue for over a week. When they were eventually discovered, the remaining survivors were in critical condition, suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition.
This devastating incident has sparked outrage, with calls for justice for the victims and stronger measures to combat human trafficking and smuggling networks in the region. The Somali government is under increasing pressure to take immediate action to dismantle these dangerous criminal operations and prevent further tragedies.
