Somalia: Fishing vessel rescues Comorian sailors off Jubaland

KISMAYO, Somalia-A fishing vessel has rescued five Comorian sailors stranded off the coast of Jubaland, officials have confirmed to VOA Somali Service. 

Lower Juba regional police commander Col. Hassan Kheyre Ahmed said Monday that the foreign sailors and their boat are being held by Jubaland authorities.  

Some seafarers are reported to be in critical condition after 45 days of stray navigation in the sea.  He added that they couldn’t confirm whether the men were in fact from Comoros, but added that further interrogations will be conducted.  

The destination of the vessel with the five crews on board has not been revealed amid growing public outcry over foreign trawlers proliferating in the country’s vastly unregulated Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Jubaland authorities recently seized an illegal fishing vessel that was later freed following negotiations with owners.

GAROWEONLINE