Refugees drowned by smugglers in Gulf of Aden

Refugees killed by smugglers in Gulf of Aden

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Tuesday, 02, Dec 2008 12:36

At least 20 refugees have died after smugglers forced over 100 people overboard in the Gulf of Aden, the United Nations (UN) has said.

The office of the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) said that the people drowned off the coast of Yemen yesterday and two more were reported missing after the smugglers carrying them across the Gulf from the Horn of Africa forced them to jump overboard.

Ron Redmond, a spokesman for UNHCR, said that the boat was carrying some 115 passengers, mainly Ethiopians.

"The survivors were sick and exhausted from the trauma of the voyage and had not yet been interviewed in detail, Mr Redmond told a news briefing.

Ninety-three passengers are known to have made it to shore in Yemen.

The UN claims that at least 380 people have died attempting the voyage from Somalia to Yemen, with another 260 reported missing.