Somali fishermen have rescued some 126 migrants in the Gulf of Aden after they were reportedly forced into the sea off the northeastern Somali coast at gunpoint by human traffickers, said officials on Monday.
The rescued migrants, mostly from Somalia and Ethiopia, said that a total 135 people had set sail in a boat a week ago from the Somali port city of Bosasso in an attempt to reach either the Middle East or Europe.
They said that the human traffickers had forced them into sea at gunpoint after their boat developed engine trouble and began drifting aimlessly for days. They added that six of their co-passengers are still missing, while three others were found dead.
Somali officials said that fishing boats were still searching the sea for any more survivors, adding that various aid agencies are providing those rescued with food and medicines.
Such rescue operations and incidents are common in the area, as thousands of illegal African migrants attempt to reach Europe or Middle East for a better life by crossing the Mediterranean Sea in flimsy boats and dinghies every year. Many of then die while attempting the dangerous voyage, while most of those rescued end up being deported back to their home countries.
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