NAIROBI: At least 16 people are dead and 28 others missing in a new migrant boat disaster off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday. The incident marks a grim addition to the string of disasters plaguing migrants attempting to cross treacherous waters in search of safety and opportunity.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed the harrowing news, saying that the capsized boat was carrying a total of 77 migrants, including children. The exact timing of the incident was not specified in the initial report.
The IOM immediately responded to the crisis, mobilizing efforts to support local authorities in conducting search and rescue operations in the turbulent waters off Djibouti’s coastline.
This calamity comes mere weeks after another tragic event, where a vessel transporting mostly Ethiopian migrants sank in similar circumstances off Djibouti’s shores. The earlier incident, occurring on April 8, killed several dozen migrants, according to reports from the IOM and the Ethiopian embassy in Djibouti.
In that previous disaster, a boat carrying over 60 persons sank near Godoria in the northeastern region of Djibouti. The IOM confirmed the recovery of 38 bodies, including children, while six persons remained unaccounted for.
The Ethiopian embassy in Djibouti disclosed that the ill-fated boat was transporting Ethiopian migrants from Djibouti to Yemen, underscoring the perilous nature of the journey undertaken by migrants seeking refuge or better prospects.
The Eastern Migration Route, notorious for its hazards, continues to claim lives as migrants embark on the arduous journey across the Red Sea. Despite the risks posed by conflict, natural disasters, and treacherous waters, tens of thousands of African migrants brave this route annually in pursuit of safety, stability, and improved livelihoods.
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