Tragedy struck off the coast of Djibouti on Tuesday when two migrant boats capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 people, with many more still missing. The boats, which departed from Yemen, were carrying 310 individuals seeking better lives in the oil-rich Gulf region.
These migrants were fleeing conflict, natural disasters, and economic hardship in Africa. Unfortunately, they fell prey to smugglers who used overcrowded and hazardous boats. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the number of migrants arriving in Yemen from the Horn of Africa increased from 73,000 in 2022 to over 97,200 last year.
A large-scale search operation, supported by the IOM, has been underway since Monday, with 115 survivors rescued thus far. Djibouti’s coastguard remains committed to finding the missing individuals and ensuring the survivors’ safety.
The boats sank merely 150 meters from the beach in Djibouti’s north-west Khor Angar region. This tragic incident is the latest in a series of boat disasters along this route, considered one of the busiest and most perilous in the world.
In June, a similar incident occurred when a boat from Somalia capsized in the Gulf of Aden, off Yemen’s south coast, resulting in the deaths of 56 Somali and Ethiopian migrants. Thirty-one women and six children were among those who lost their lives.
The Djibouti coastguard has confirmed that 61 individuals are still missing, and search operations continue relentlessly.
This disaster highlights the risks migrants face when attempting to cross the Red Sea. Thousands sail across each year, seeking better lives.
The use of smugglers’ boats has become a necessity for many migrants. These boats are often overcrowded and ill-equipped for the journey.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing persons and provide support to the survivors.
The international community must address the root causes driving migration, ensuring safer pathways for those seeking refuge and better economic prospects.
In addition to the human toll, these tragedies underscore the need for cooperation and action to prevent such incidents in the future.
