/ 7 December 2000

SCORES DIE AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES OFF COMORES

AT least 24 people were killed when a boat carrying illegal immigrants capsized off the Comorian island of Anjouan on Tuesday night, officials said. The immigrants were sailing to the French-ruled island of Mayotte. Six others in the boat survived the accident. Each year thousands of people attempt to cross the 50km stretch of sea between Mayotte and Anjouan, which has been ruled by rebels for the past three years. – Reuters

06