MORONI, Comoros, Nov 5, 2024 (AFP) - A teenager among a handful of survivors from the capsizing of a migrant boat that claimed 25 lives off the Comoros told AFP Tuesday that smugglers sank the vessel and fled on a speedboat.

Authorities in the Indian Ocean nation have opened an investigation into the sinking late Friday of a vessel transporting around 30 migrants from the Comoros island of Anjouan to the French department of Mayotte.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Monday that at least 25 people were killed and only five survived the sinking, the latest on a well-used route to smuggle people to Mayotte.

Among the survivors was a 19-year-old Comorian who said he only made it through because he knows how to swim and float.

"There were around 30 of us on board the boat. We left Marahare in Anjouan at around 7:00 pm," he told AFP by telephone from Anjouan, requesting anonymity.

"At around 10:00 pm, the traffickers deliberately let water into the hull by opening the plug. The boat's engine was switched off.

 The traffickers said the engine had broken down and refused to call for help."

"The smugglers left on another speedboat, leaving us for dead," he said.
"Luckily, I know how to swim, so I was able to stay afloat.

 And I was able to help two other people hang on to the hull. The next day, we were spotted by fishermen," he said.

AFP was put in touch with the young man by the IOM. He said only four people survived.

"I'm fine, even if my legs are burnt from the petrol," he said. A photo showing a large red wound on his leg was sent to AFP by a person who was sheltering the teenager in Anjouan.

Anjouan is one of the three islands that make up the impoverished nation of Comoros and lies about 70 kilometres (44 miles) northwest of Mayotte, which became a department of France in 2011.

Despite being France's poorest department, Mayotte has French infrastructure and welfare which makes it attractive to migrants from Comoros seeking a better life.

Many pay smugglers to make the dangerous sea crossing in rickety fishing boats known as "kwassa-kwassa".

"For the moment, the authorities are gathering information to understand what happened. A formal investigation will be carried out, and we hope to get to the bottom of this tragedy," said Fatima Ahamada, spokeswoman for the Comoros government.
 
"An investigation has already been opened," public prosecutor in Anjouan's main city, Mutsamudu, Mohamed Amane told AFP.