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36 Afghans among 38 migrants rescued off Dutch coast; two Sudanese arrested
The migrants were rescued on Saturday after their rubber boat, which had no functioning engine, was found drifting off the Dutch coast.
Dutch authorities have confirmed that 36 of the 38 men rescued from a stranded rubber boat off the coast of Cadzand in Zeeland are Afghan nationals, while two Sudanese men have been arrested on suspicion of human smuggling.
The migrants were rescued on Saturday after their rubber boat, which had no functioning engine, was found drifting off the Dutch coast.
Following the rescue, the vessel was towed to Cadzand, where all 38 men were brought ashore. The two Sudanese nationals were subsequently arrested as part of an investigation into suspected human smuggling.
The 36 Afghan nationals are currently being held in temporary custody at the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee facility in Hoogerheide, in the Brabant-Oost region.
Authorities are working to establish their identities and determine whether they intend to seek asylum in the Netherlands.
The Marechaussee is leading the operation, with support from the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) and the Dutch Coast Guard.
The vessel was reportedly a Zodiac-type inflatable boat, commonly used in migrant crossings. However, authorities have not disclosed where the boat originated or its intended destination.