Six Die as Migrant Ship Capsizes in Indian Ocean

Six people died and 27 others were missing after a ship carrying illegal immigrants capsized in the Indian Ocean off the French overseas territory of Mayotte, local officials said Saturday.

Of the 36 people who boarded the boat on the Comoran island of Anjouan Friday evening, one survivor was taken in by rescue services while two others escaped.

Such accidents have happened before in the area, with two occurring in the last few months alone, one as recently as July when seven people died, four went missing and 13 survived.

Mayotte is part of the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Comoros. While the three other islands chose independence from France in 1975, it opted to remain under French rule.

Many Comorans hoping to find work or medical care board rickety fishing boats to attempt the risky voyage, often foundering on coral reefs.

Most of them try to travel over from the poorest Comoran island of Anjouan, some 100 kilometers from Mayotte.

Some two-fifths of Mayotte's 200,000 inhabitants are thought to be illegal immigrants.