A U.S. Navy boat works to rescue passengers from a capsized skiff in the Gulf of Aden.
Thirteen people drowned and eight are missing after a small skiff packed with more than seven dozen people capsized while getting aid from a U.S. Navy vessel in the Gulf of Aden, the U.S. military said Monday.
The skiff, packed with 75 Ethiopians and 10 Somalis, was spotted adrift in the gulf by a South Korean warship, which asked the guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill to provide assistance, according to a statement from the Combined Maritime Forces, which conducts anti-piracy patrols off the east coast of Africa.
The 9,500-ton, 513-foot long Churchill sent an inflatable boat to the aid of the skiff. After determining the skiff was without power, the inflatable towed it out of shipping lanes toward the Somali coast, the statement said.
At about 8:30 am local time Monday, U.S. sailors attempted to distribute fresh supplies to those aboard the skiff. As they did so, the Africans rushed to one side of the vessel, capsizing it, and sending all 85 passengers into the ocean.
Crews from the Churchill and an Australian patrol aircraft were able to rescue 61 of the skiff’s passengers. Thirteen drowned and eight were not found, the statement said.
The Navy was investigating the incident.
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At least we now know how to get rid of an overloaded boat full of jigs looking for a handout without wasting a torpedo. Just throw some food at them and watch them drown.
Dear Navy folks: Please don't bring these "people" to the U.S. or Europe. Thanks!
Sharks need to eat too!
Sad, funny and ironic.
I was worried when I saw that "thirteen people" had drowned, but then I realized they were talking about those mutated apes.
I'm glad the Navy didn't waste any resources.
Africans are uncivilized because they lack the most basic ingredient needed for a civilization to begin: master the food supply. Let them figure out how to do it themselves, even if it means their extinction. You whiny liberals complain about how the world is getting overpopulated and yet you do whatever you can to keep the lowest common denominator reproducing! Go ahead, call me racist to justify your constant war against reality.
those polyurethane inflatable boats are very sturdy and some are kevlar lined too but they are expensive -`,
13 drown 8 missing after skiff getting navy aid capsizes.. Peachy
idiot.
Your mom is! Ever been around Somalis or smelled their neighborhoods? I have, I grew up in Minneapolis and let me tell you what they are a filthy unsanitary bunch of people. It's not their race it's their culture. And it's a fact that Somalia are dirty and smelly
Looks like they were also in need of a better boat.Stop being so quick to talk down to people Maggie.Sounds like you got yer draws in a bunch.
Well, it looks like their thoughtless actions led to getting more water than most could deal with. Civilized people would have agreed on a heirarchy within the boat for distribution of water and food once they got some.
Were you replying to someone?
Civilized people Davey? You would have done well as a missionary in 19th century Africa. Or perhaps a slave trader? If you mean they are uncivilized by fact they are taking a great risk to escape famine, disease or war then I guess they may be a little uncivilized. Not much chance of getting a good education in Ethiopia or especially Somalia. I suggest you take advantage of being a US citizen and educate yourself so you wont continue to make such asinine comments.
As a 21st century Missionary I just recently came back from Rwanda. And I think I was far more uncivilized than anyone I came into contact with. The maid at my hotel spoke 3 languages, and everyone I met with wore suits and crisp starched shirts. I looked like an unmade bed in my 3 day old jeans. They respected our meetings and each other, yep food is valuable, so is water, but that is the effects of years of wars. You may feel safe up there in your ivory tower but their struggles are making them stronger and it won't be long before you start to get thirsty.