At least 10 people drowned following the capsizing of a boat carrying refugees in a river between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This incident occurred on Thursday, September 1, and officials from both countries confirmed the news in an interview with Radio Free Europe, stating that several individuals are still missing. This route, known as the 'Balkan route,' is commonly used by refugees, primarily from the Middle East, to reach Europe. The boat was traveling from Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina via the 'Drina' River and capsized near the town of Tešanj in Serbia. Ivica Dačić, the Serbian Minister of the Interior, told Radio Free Europe that the recovered bodies included a 9-month-old baby along with its mother and eight men. According to Dačić, rescuers have assisted 18 of the boat's occupants, including three children, who managed to reach the shore. The exact number of passengers on the boat is still unclear; some survivors had previously stated that the boat carried about 25 people. Additionally, officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina reported that search operations in the river and along its banks are ongoing. The Bosnian police stated they are working to identify and apprehend the traffickers. According to statistics from the Balkan section of Radio Free Europe, at least 40 refugees have died in the Drina River over the past decade.
Capsizing of Refugee Boat Near Bosnia Leaves at Least 10 Dead
A refugee boat capsized in the Drina River between Serbia and Bosnia, resulting in at least 10 fatalities, including a baby. The incident highlights the dangers faced by refugees using the Balkan route to reach Europe. Ongoing search efforts are being conducted, and authorities are pursuing human traffickers.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A boat carrying refugees capsized in the Drina River between Serbia and Bosnia, resulting in at least 10 fatalities, including a baby. The incident underscores the perilous conditions refugees face while attempting to reach Europe via the Balkan route.
- The boat was reportedly carrying around 25 people, with several still missing.
- At least 40 refugees have died in the Drina River over the past decade.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Balkan route is a common pathway for refugees from the Middle East and other regions seeking asylum in Europe, often fraught with peril due to overcrowded and unsafe vessels.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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