Dutch Authorities Rescue 38 Individuals Stranded in Rubber Boat

Refugee and migrant vessels are seldom seen in Dutch waters, and officials continue to determine the origin of this craft.

Dutch authorities have rescued 38 individuals who were found adrift in a rubber boat off the Dutch coast, marking one of the initial such interceptions for the nation.

According to military police spokesperson Doron Wallin, two of those aboard the dinghy are believed to be smugglers, while the remaining individuals are migrants, as reported by The Associated Press on Saturday.

“We are uncertain of their point of origin — whether from France, the Netherlands, or Belgium — and we also do not know the vessel’s intended destination,” Wallin stated.

The vessel was located drifting without a motor off the coast of Zeeland province, far southwest of Amsterdam, and none of those aboard were wearing a life vest.

All 38 aboard were men, with 36 originating from Afghanistan and the two suspected smugglers hailing from Sudan, according to AFP. The two Sudanese men have been detained on suspicion of people smuggling.

The boat’s intended destination remains unknown, though small‑boat crossings from France to the United Kingdom have become increasingly common in recent years. Such vessels are rarely encountered in Dutch waters.

“These incidents are typical of those seen in France and Belgium, and we rarely observe them in the Netherlands until now,” Wallin noted.

Dutch authorities announced they will open an investigation into the incident on Sunday.

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