43 Ethiopians, Somalis suffocate in truck smuggle

[June 27, 2012]  ARUSHA, Tanzania (AP) -- An official in Tanzania says that 43 Ethiopian and Somali nationals suffocated in a truck they were being smuggled in.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Pereira Silima on Wednesday said it was sad and unfortunate that so many people died from the illegal smuggling scheme.

Tanzania's state television said the bodies were thrown off the truck and dumped in the bush after the driver of the truck realized some of the people he was smuggling had perished. Some 70 people in the truck survived and are receiving medical treatment and being questioned by police.

Tanzania lies on a smuggling route Africans use to travel to South Africa, where there are more economic opportunities.

[Associated Press; By SUKHDEV CHHATBAR]

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