BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Brazilian police investigating the grim discovery of a boat full of corpses say the dead were likely African migrants from Mali and Mauritania.
Fishermen off Brazil’s northern coastal state of Pará found the boat adrift Saturday in the Atlantic ocean. Brazil’s Federal police said in a statement late Monday it had recovered nine dead in total.
“Documents and objects found near the bodies indicate that the victims were migrants from the African continent, from the region of Mauritania and Mali,” the statement read. Police added that other nationalities could be among the deceased.
The roughly 12-meter (39-foot) -long white and blue canoe-shaped boat found in Brazil shares the same characteristics of Mauritanian fishing pirogues frequently used by West African migrants and refugees fleeing to Spain’s Canary Islands, suggesting Brazil was probably not their destination.
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Sharon Stone, 66, wants her 'acting career back' more than 20 years after suffering stroke
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi leaving the club after United game
Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
Kenya, Uganda sign agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation
Sharon Stone, 66, wants her 'acting career back' more than 20 years after suffering stroke
Most water is now safe to drink after parasite outbreak near Devon, England
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
South China's Beijiang River sees second flood this year
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
Soto's 2 homers, Gil's 14 strikeouts lead Yankees over White Sox 6