illegal immigrants boat burns

Nearly 200 people have drowned after a boat shipping illegal immigrants from Sudan to Saudi Arabia burst into flames four hours out to sea, according to local reports.

The boat carrying illegal immigrants was headed for Saudi Arabia

A semi-official news agency quoted an official as saying that 197 people died.

He said it happened: "Inside Sudanese territorial waters, following the burning of a boat that was illegally transporting (people) to Saudi Arabia."

Initial reports said only three people from the boat had been rescued but the search for more survivors was continuing.

The boat was discovered 93 miles (150km) south of Port Sudan, near the border with Eritrea.

Four Yemenis, who allegedly owned the Cuban-flagged boat, have been arrested.

Another boat carrying 247 migrants, mostly from Somalia, Eritrea, Chad, and Nigeria, was also apparently captured travelling through the same area.

There have been several other incidents of people drowning off the coast of Sudan in recent years.

Thousands of Africans - especially Eritreans and Ethiopians - frequently travel dangerous routes to escape conflicts in their own countries.

MrDoodles wrote:1st bit of "Good News" I've heard in ages!

I'm the king wrote:

Come on Mr D, surely the deaths of a couple of hundred people cannot be classed as good news?

Seren wrote:

It's pretty low now isn't it. These people are fleeing poverty and destitution after all. Now I may not agree that Europe can afford to take every refugee that comes here but the thought of 200 men, women and children on a flaming boat on the open sea, in terror before the boat finally sinks hardly seems like "good news" to me.

Maybe MrD could try just a touch of compassion for once.

Seren wrote:

It's pretty low now isn't it. These people are fleeing poverty and destitution after all. Now I may not agree that Europe can afford to take every refugee that comes here but the thought of 200 men, women and children on a flaming boat on the open sea, in terror before the boat finally sinks hardly seems like "good news" to me.

Maybe MrD could try just a touch of compassion for once.

MrDoodles wrote:

So at what level do you class this Country as being "Full" then Seren and start turning them away?

70 Million, 80 Million, 90 Million, 100 Million?

Just curious?

I'm the king wrote:Mr D, I have no idea what has happened while I was away, but Seren is spot on, there is a BIG difference between a tough immigration policy and celebrating the death of 200 people. I think we are all in agreement that we need tougher rules on immigration etc, but I don't see anyone else celebrating the deaths of others

You have longed for the 'good old days' a few times on here and other boards: 1 thing that a number of old folk keep telling me was that after the war, they would always try and help others no matter how poor you were. I've heard many people say things along the lines of: "if I only had a pound and had no food but someone needed it I'd give it to them." Where is your compassion for these people who were obviously in a worse situation then you or I.

Seren wrote:

You seriously cannot see the difference between having a tough policy on immigration and saying it's "good news" when 200 people die on a burning sinking ship.

MrDoodles wrote:When Europe is completely over-run with these people, you'll remember my words!

MrDoodles wrote:1st bit of "Good News" I've heard in ages!