Emergency services recovered an engineless inflatable boat carrying 38 people off the Zeeland coast near Breskens and brought it to Cadzand. The Coast Guard had detected the boat, which was adrift, and police said those on board were not wearing life jackets. The passengers were initially described as possible migrants or refugees.

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee later said that 36 passengers were Afghan men. Two Sudanese nationals were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking. The group was taken first to Oostburg and is staying with the Marechaussee brigade in Hoogerheide.