VLORË, Albania — Albanian authorities rescued 11 migrants after their small inflatable boat became stranded near Sazan Island due to insufficient fuel, preventing what could have become a fatal incident at sea.
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The rescue operation was launched early Friday after the Vlora Border and Migration Directorate (DVKM) received an emergency call from a Greek phone number at approximately 7:30 a.m. reporting that several migrants were in danger of drowning north of Sazan Island.
Border Police, working in coordination with the Albanian Coast Guard and Italy's Guardia di Finanza (GDF), quickly located the vessel and brought all 11 migrants safely ashore. Authorities confirmed that everyone was rescued in good health.
Preliminary investigations found that the migrants were traveling in a small inflatable dinghy measuring about three meters, powered by a 25-horsepower engine, with an insufficient amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
Authorities also stated that radar monitoring of Albania's maritime space showed no attempts by other vessels to head toward international waters during the past 48 hours.
A special investigative team, under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office, is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and gather evidence to determine how the migrants ended up stranded at sea.