Deadly Boat Accident On Serbia-Bosnia River Leaves Nine Migrants Dead

Deadly Boat Accident On Serbia-Bosnia River Leaves Nine Migrants Dead

At least nine people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Drina River, which marks the border between Serbia and Bosnia. The tragic incident occurred early Thursday near the Serbian town of Ljubovija, and rescue efforts are still ongoing.

Serbian police reported that the boat, which was carrying around two dozen migrants, overturned in the river. Bosnia’s civil protection agency, which is coordinating the rescue operation, confirmed that divers have recovered the bodies of nine individuals. The exact number of missing persons remains unclear as the search continues.

Bosnian authorities have yet to disclose the nationalities of the victims. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that the Serbian border police were alerted by both Bosnian authorities and a local resident about the incident.

The boat’s capsizing occurred as migrants were attempting to cross from Serbia to Bosnia. Early reports suggest that 18 people were found on the riverbank, including three children who managed to reach the shore. Rescue teams and police are still scouring the area for additional survivors.

The Drina River is a critical crossing point on the so-called “Balkan route,” a key migration pathway into the European Union. The route has seen significant use by migrants from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, Morocco, and Pakistan.

The number of migrants transiting through Serbia has decreased significantly over the years. Serbian officials attribute this reduction to increased cooperation with Austrian police and the EU’s border management agency, Frontex. Despite the drop, the migration crisis remains a serious concern, with many still relying on smugglers to facilitate their journey into EU member states.