By Xinhua,
Nairobi : At least 26 people died when illegal travel agents transporting them across the Gulf of Aden from the Horn of Africa forced them overboard off the coast of Yemen in a recent incident, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.
The UNHCR said in a statement received here Thursday that several others were still missing as trafficking in humans resumed earlier than usual due to calmer weather in the Gulf of Aden.
“Survivors said the boat carrying about 120 people stopped offshore in deep water on Tuesday and all passengers were forced overboard at gunpoint,” said the UN agency.
“They said those who refused were pushed and beaten. Some were killed. Survivors said they had earlier been assured by the smugglers that a smaller vessel would take them ashore, but none arrived,” the agency said.
According to UNHCR, at least 74 survivors made it to the beach and were taken to UNHCR’s reception centre at Ahwar.
Authorities said till Wednesday morning 26 bodies had been recovered while 20 others were reported missing, UNHCR said.