At least 139 individuals, including children, lost their lives in a tragic incident when a boat carrying over 300 migrants overturned near Djibouti in East Africa, as reported by the International Organization for Migration on Sunday. This death toll comprises those laid to rest by authorities in Djibouti, with additional burials conducted by the migrants themselves pending official confirmation by authorities, mentioned Alexandre Coissac, IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti.
The migrants embarked on the vessel on the evening of October 8, and it quickly sank due to overcrowding near the shore, Coissac explained. Despite the efforts of local authorities, they were overwhelmed by the influx of bodies reaching the shore simultaneously.
Surviving migrants were being transported to the IOM rescue center in Obock for medical attention and psychological support after ingesting seawater during the ordeal. The survivors were described as being in a state of shock, with some already aware of the loss of family members.
The boat was en route from Djibouti to Yemen when the tragedy occurred, with over 80 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, according to the IOM. The UN migration agency based in Geneva noted that there were 305 individuals on board, indicating a possibility of a higher death toll.
Personal belongings believed to belong to the migrants, such as shoes, were found on a beach, as shared in a video by IOM. Search and rescue operations persisted as concerns mounted over the missing individuals.
The dangerous journey undertaken by migrants from the Horn of Africa across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait towards Gulf countries for better prospects continues unabated despite escalating conflicts in Yemen. Coissac emphasized the need for safe and legal migration pathways to prevent such tragedies and urged immediate action by governments and donors.
