25 African migrants come ashore in Brazil after sea rescue

SAO PAULO – About two dozen African migrants were brought ashore in northeastern Brazil after being rescued at sea by fishermen, Brazilian authorities said Sunday.

The government of Maranhao state said that 25 people from Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde along with two Brazilians landed Saturday.

The boat with the migrants was adrift when they were rescued, according to the G1 news portal, which also said they had been at sea for weeks.

Those aboard were dehydrated and received medical care and meals upon arrival, the state government said. They were taken to a sports complex where they would be housed for the time being.

Federal police are looking into whether any crimes were committed against the migrants. That could mean there is suspicion they were exploited by smugglers.

Every year, tens of thousands of people from Africa and the Middle East try to reach Europe in smugglers’ boats. But such journeys to Brazil are rare.