22 Madagascar migrants drown while illegally migrating to Mayotte

Sad news was reported North of the Island of Madagascar on Sunday March 12th, as 22 corpses of men, women and children were delivered onshore by fishermen in the early hours of the morning. 5 more bodies are believed to have be lost at sea, and 23 survivors are believed to have fled.

A total of 50 people are reported to have been trying to sneak out of Madagascar to Mayotte when their boat capsized in the Indian Ocean. Fishermen found survivors at Ankazomborona beach, rural municipality of Beramanja, Ambilobe district, it is said.

According to reports, 25 were found alive at around 1:30AM and two had died by dawn when they arrived on land due to dehydration. A 31-year-old female, and one a male, are still missing.

Some 23 survivors are said to have fled in fear of arrest and jail time. An investigation carried out by the marine industry in the city of Nosy Be Hell-Ville uncovered that 20 bodies were found in the sea of Nosy Faly and were taken to the peninsula Ankify.

Economic migrants from Madagascar to the French island of Mayotte has been on the rise in recent years, according to BBC, with smugglers charging up to $US700.00 for the 400km journey.