IMO reports 657 stowaways in 244 incidents last year

IMO reports 657 stowaways in 244 incidents last year The International Maritime Organization said it received reports of 244 stowaway incidents last year involving 657 individuals, many involving nationals from countries in the Middle East.
   Those countries producing more than 20 stowaways included: 204 Afghans, 60 Iraquis, 52 Albanians, 47 Algerians, 32 Moroccans, 22 Chinese, 21 Moldovians and 20 Iranians.
   Many countries reporting data did not supply details, but the IMO said: “from the statistics as given it has emerged that 153 stowaways traveled from countries from the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the North Sea region; 104 from West African countries; 22 from the Far East, South China Sea and the Malacca    Strait; 16 from North and South    America and the Caribbean region; and eight from the Indian Ocean and East Africa.' In addition, 354 reported cases did not provide any information regarding the places of embarkation.