By Redson Kandozi
At least 45 people have lost their lives, and 111 remain missing after two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Djibouti on Tuesday. The boats were carrying migrants returning from Yemen when the tragedy occurred.
Survivors reported that the first boat had 100 passengers on board, while the second boat carried 210 migrants. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Djibouti, the disaster was triggered when the boats encountered smugglers at sea.
“Migrants were forced by the Yemenite boat operators to disembark in the open sea and swim. One woman drowned, but her 4-month-old infant survived along with 98 others from the first boat,” the IOM revealed in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Thus far, 55 individuals have been rescued and are receiving medical and psychosocial support, while the Djiboutian Coast Guard continues its search and rescue operations.
This incident marks the latest disaster along the perilous migrant route, considered one of the busiest and most dangerous in the world.
Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for East, Horn, and Southern Africa, emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “Hundreds have lost their lives this year. We call on the donor community to continue to support IOM’s response, to save lives and address the root causes of the life-threatening and dangerous journeys these migrants take. And stop their exploitation by smugglers.”
The IOM has now declared 2024 the deadliest year for migrant sea crossings. This tragedy follows another incident in June, where 196 migrants perished, making this the second deadliest event on the Eastern Route.
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