Dutch authorities have rescued 38 people who were found drifting in a rubber dinghy off the Netherlands coast, marking a rare interception for the nation.
Rescue Details and National Origin
Military police spokesperson Doron Wallin stated that two individuals on the vessel are suspected of being smugglers, while the remaining passengers are migrants. The motorless boat was discovered floating off the coast of Zeeland province, located far southwest of Amsterdam, with none of the occupants wearing life vests.
According to reports from the AFP news agency, all 38 occupants were men. Among them, 36 individuals originated from Afghanistan, while the two suspected smugglers were from Sudan. Law enforcement officials have arrested the two Sudanese men on suspicion of people smuggling.
Unusual Maritime Incident
While small boat crossings from France to the United Kingdom have grown frequent in recent years, discovering such vessels in Dutch waters remains highly uncommon. Wallin noted that incidents of this nature typically occur near France and Belgium rather than the Netherlands.
Authorities have not yet determined the origin point of the journey, noting uncertainty over whether the boat departed from France, the Netherlands, or Belgium, nor was its final destination clear. Dutch authorities are scheduled to launch a formal investigation into the incident on Sunday.
