Mayotte: Migrant dies in the shipwreck of a 'kwassa-kwassa'

One migrant has died following the capsizing of a traditional fishing boat, a 'kwassa-kwassa', carrying eleven Comorians off the coast of Mayotte. The incident occurred on Sunday when the vessel overturned during an attempted interception by Comorian coast guards, according to a police source.

The 10 survivors from the capsized boat were brought ashore on Chissioua Mtsamboro, an island north of the Mayotte archipelago. They are currently awaiting the arrival of French authorities.

Mayotte, a French department in the Indian Ocean, faces significant migratory pressure. Located approximately 70 kilometers from the Comoros, the archipelago is a frequent destination for clandestine crossings. Nearly half of Mayotte's population consists of foreign nationals, predominantly from Comoros.

This maritime route is known for its extreme danger. In November 2024, at least 25 people perished when their boat sank off the Comoros. Survivors and the International Organization for Migration attributed that tragedy to smugglers who allegedly deliberately sank the vessel.