Migrant drowns in Bihac

N1

A migrant has drowned in the Una river in the northwestern town of Bihac on Thursday, the Interior Ministry of the local canton government where the town is located confirmed to N1.

“Citizens informed us that at 17:30 a large group of migrants was bathing in the Una river and that one person drowned. Police officers, a medical team, and a diving team have been sent to the location,” spokesperson of the Interior Ministry of the Una-Sana Canton, Snezana Galic, told N1.

The body of the migrant was meanwhile found and was sent for an autopsy.

Since the beginning of 2018, the number of migrants passing through Bosnia has drastically increased. The country became a significant transit point for the thousands of migrants after numerous surrounding countries closed their borders.

The migrants aim to reach EU countries through Bosnia and Croatia. Croatian border police, however, often turns them away from the border and back into Bosnia.

Bihac is located near Croatia’s border and is strongly affected by the situation, as thousands of migrants who attempt to cross the border there end up occupying public areas in the town.