At least 17 Somali migrants are feared to have perished after a boat carrying them capsized in waters between Algeria and Spain, Somalia’s ambassador to Algiers said on Friday.
Ambassador Yusuf Ahmed Hassan told local media that he was contacted by worried parents searching for information about their missing children.
“The victims included 12 men and five women who drowned when the overcrowded boat capsized during the dangerous crossing,” said highlighting the dangers faced by Africans attempting the perilous journey to Europe.
He said he later contacted Algeria’s foreign ministry, which confirmed that a group of African migrants had died in a coastal area about 100 km (62 miles) west of the capital, Algiers.
Hassan added that he travelled early on Thursday to the coastal town of Bou Ismail, arriving at around 6:00 a.m.
“I visited two hospitals in the region and saw the bodies,” he said.
The route between North Africa and Spain is one of the main corridors used by migrants trying to reach Europe, often in overcrowded and unsafe boats.
Somali migrants are among the growing number undertaking such journeys, driven by insecurity, limited economic opportunities and prolonged drought in their home country.
Algerian authorities have not yet fully disclosed details of the latest tragedy, including the total number of people on board or the cause of the sinking.
MG/as/APA