At least 25 people died when their boat was intentionally sunk by human smugglers off the coast of Comoros, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to survivors of the sinking on Friday evening, the boat had around 30 people of different nationalities on board, including seven women and at least six small children, when it capsized between the Comorian island of Anjouan and the French territory of Mayotte, according to IOM.
Fishermen rescued five survivors on Saturday morning.
The crossing between the two islands is a common migration route where thousands of people have lost their lives, according to IOM.
Despite Mayotte being France's poorest department, it has French infrastructure and welfare, making it an attractive destination for poor Comorians.
