Tragedy Strikes as Migrant Boats Capsize off Djibouti Coast
In a devastating turn of events, at least 45 individuals have lost their lives and numerous others remain unaccounted for after two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Djibouti, officials have confirmed.
The ill-fated boats departed from Yemen carrying a total of 310 passengers before tragically sinking in the Red Sea near the east African nation on Tuesday, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
“As of now, 61 individuals are still missing and the search efforts are ongoing tirelessly,” stated Djibouti’s coastguard.
This incident marks the most recent maritime disaster on a route known to be one of the busiest and most perilous in the world, frequently used by refugees and migrants from Africa.
A comprehensive search operation has been underway since early Monday, with the support of IOM, leading to the successful rescue of 115 survivors, according to Djibouti’s coastguard.
“Our commitment remains unwavering in locating the missing persons and ensuring the safety of those who have been rescued,” affirmed the agency in a released statement.
The boats went down a mere 150 meters (492 feet) from a beach in Djibouti’s north-west Khor Angar region, as per the coastguard’s report.
Yearly, thousands of African migrants embark on perilous journeys across the Red Sea towards the Gulf region in search of refuge from conflicts, natural disasters, and bleak economic circumstances.
Tragically, back in June, a similar tragedy unfolded when a boat from Somalia capsized in the Gulf of Aden, off Yemen’s southern coast, resulting in the loss of at least 56 Somali and Ethiopian migrants with 140 others reported missing. Among the casualties were 31 women and six children.
The number of migrants making their way to Yemen from the Horn of Africa surged from approximately 73,000 in 2022 to over 97,200 last year, as per data from the IOM.
Regrettably, many of these individuals are compelled to entrust their lives to smugglers who utilize perilous and overcrowded boats for these treacherous crossings. — BBC
