At least eight people have drowned and more are missing after a boat carrying an estimated 30 illegal migrants capsized while attempting to cross the Drina river from Serbia to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The boat was reported to be carrying 16 Syrians and two Egyptians, including 10 minors at the time of the accident. Civil defence rescue teams, Bosnian and Serbian border police, divers, and firefighters are currently conducting search and rescue operations along the river banks.
Serbia’s Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, stated that police were alerted to the incident early on Thursday morning by their counterparts in Bosnia and a citizen who reported the accident. The survivors who managed to reach the shore in Bosnia recounted the terrifying ordeal of the boat capsizing.
This tragic incident highlights the risks and dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach the European Union using the Balkan land route. People fleeing wars and poverty often rely on smugglers to cross borders without authorization, putting their lives at risk. The search for survivors continues as authorities work to provide aid and support to those affected by the tragedy.
The international community is urged to address the root causes of migration and provide safer pathways for individuals seeking refuge in Europe. The tragic loss of life in this latest incident serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and compassionate solutions to the global migration crisis.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
