Migrant Boat Sinking on Bosnia-Serbia Border Claims 11 Lives

The death toll from a migrant boat capsizing in the Drina River on the Bosnia-Serbia border has risen to 12, following the recovery of another body on Saturday. The boat, carrying between 25 and 30 migrants, overturned during an illegal crossing, resulting in the tragic deaths of several individuals, including a nine-month-old baby and her mother. Authorities confirmed that 18 survivors were rescued, primarily from Syria, Egypt, and Iraq, while efforts continue to identify and prosecute the smugglers involved in this perilous journey. The incident highlights ongoing risks for migrants traversing the Balkan route to reach Western Europe, with many relying on dangerous crossings facilitated by smugglers. Rescue operations have involved cooperation between Serbian and Bosnian authorities, but the number of migrants attempting such crossings has significantly decreased in recent months, attributed to enhanced border security. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for safer migration pathways and the broader humanitarian crisis faced by those fleeing war and poverty.