May 15, 2002
Ananova
Twelve Kurdish illegal immigrants are missing after their boat capsized in a river between Croatia and Bosnia.

Four others managed to swim to shore after the accident in the Sava River.

The Croatian Interior Ministry said the two countries' police forces have been searching for the missing. 

The four Kurds, one of whom was found on the Bosnian side and three across the river, in Croatia, told police the group was crossing from Bosnia to Croatia on their way to the neighbouring Italy, a frequent destination of illegal immigrants.

Their boat capsized near the eastern Croatian city of Zupanja, 215 kilometres (129 miles) southeast of the capital, Zagreb.

None of the men had visas, and only one had a valid passport, police said.

The men were later sent back to Bosnia.

In recent years, Croatian police have caught thousands of illegal immigrants trying to reach western European countries.

Croatia, which wants to join the European Union, has stepped up its border controls.