A Chinese national has died after a boat carrying at least ten migrants capsized on the Danube River while attempting an illegal border crossing from Serbia into Croatia. Rescuers recovered one body and saved several others from the water, highlighting the perilous journey faced by those seeking to reach Western Europe.
Key Takeaways
- One Chinese migrant died when a boat capsized on the Danube River.
- The incident occurred during an attempted illegal border crossing from Serbia to Croatia.
- At least ten Chinese nationals were on board the vessel.
- Rescue operations saved several individuals, but the search for potential additional victims continues.
- Authorities are investigating the incident, suspecting people-smuggling activities.
The Incident
The fatal accident took place on Sunday evening near the Serbian town of Bačka Palanka, close to the border with Croatia. Serbian police reported that the boat, carrying at least ten Chinese nationals, capsized as they attempted to cross the Danube River illegally. Rescuers managed to pull four individuals from the water alive, while Croatian teams found three men and two women from China. The body of one deceased migrant was later recovered.
Ongoing Search and Investigation
Search operations involving boats and drones were conducted by both Serbian and Croatian authorities. While several individuals were rescued, the exact number of people on board and the potential for further victims remained under investigation at the time of the reports. Serbian police have launched an investigation into the event, with initial suspicions pointing towards people-smuggling operations.
The Balkan Route and Chinese Migration
Serbia is a key transit country on the so-called Balkan land route, a common path for migrants aiming to reach wealthier Western European nations. Migrants frequently attempt to cross from Serbia into neighboring EU countries like Croatia, Hungary, or Romania. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in Chinese nationals migrating to Europe, both through irregular and legal channels, coinciding with China’s growing investments in infrastructure and technology across the continent. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recorded hundreds of deaths on the Balkan migrant route since 2014, underscoring the inherent dangers of these journeys.
