A tragic incident occurred on the Drina river as a boat carrying an estimated 30 illegal migrants capsized while attempting to cross from Serbia to Bosnia-Herzegovina. At least eight people have drowned, and more individuals are still missing. Serbia’s Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, confirmed that police were alerted to the accident by authorities in Bosnia and a concerned citizen early Thursday morning.
Of the 30 people on board, 18 managed to reach the shore in Bosnia, while the nationalities of the victims are reported to be Syrian and Egyptian. The boat also included 10 minors at the time of the capsizing. Rescue efforts involving civil defense teams, border police, divers, and firefighters are underway along the river banks to find any survivors.
This incident sheds light on the dangerous journey that migrants take, using the Balkan land route to reach the European Union. Many fleeing conflict and poverty rely on smugglers to cross borders without authorization, with Serbia serving as a transit point before migrants move on to Hungary, Croatia, or Bosnia. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in seeking a better life in Europe and highlights the need for comprehensive solutions to address the challenges faced by migrants in the region.
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