At least 17 bodies have been recovered after a migrant boat carrying African nationals was found off the coast of the Comoros Islands, authorities said Thursday, in the latest deadly attempt to reach the French territory of Mayotte.
The vessel was discovered late Wednesday near the coastal town of Mitsamiouli after residents reported hearing cries for help, prompting an emergency response.
Interior Minister Mohamed Ahamada said nine bodies were recovered Thursday morning, adding to eight retrieved overnight. Around 30 people survived the حادث, according to officials.
However, a local hospital director placed the death toll at 18, highlighting discrepancies as authorities continue to assess the scale of the tragedy.
Survivors told officials they were primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a detail largely confirmed by the government.
The migrants were believed to be attempting the perilous البحر crossing to Mayotte, a French overseas territory that, despite widespread poverty, offers access to European legal protections and welfare systems—making it a key destination for irregular migration in the region.
The route remains one of the deadliest in the Indian Ocean. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 25 people died in a similar حادث near Mayotte in 2024 after traffickers capsized a boat. Thousands are believed to have perished along this corridor in recent years.
The latest disaster underscores the persistent risks faced by migrants as trafficking networks continue to exploit desperation across Africa.