Boat carrying illegal migrants capsizes on the Una River

A boat carrying several illegal migrants capsized on the Una River near the town of Hrvatska Kostajnica early on Monday morning. Sisak-Moslavina County Police have reported that some of the illegal migrants have drowned, with at least one body pulled from the water.

Police monitoring the state border near the town of Rosulje near Hrvatska Kostajnica responded to a call for help at around 4:45 this morning, after which they dispatched police patrols and other emergency services to the scene. Police say that three people have been rescued, including a Chinese national and a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the latter suspected of trying to smuggle the illegal migrants into Croatia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Davor Božinović was asked to comment on the news this afternoon: “We know that the smuggler from Bosnia and Herzegovina has been arrested. Tragically, I think two migrants have died. A criminal investigation to establish all of the facts is underway. Those who profit from this, and we've just arrested one, will be held accountable to the letter of the law, especially the fact that they are profiting on the misfortune of those who want to enter deeper into the European Union.”

The Police and members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service are actively searching for the remaining illegal migrants from the boat with the help of police boats and drones.

Source: HRT