At least 45 people have been confirmed dead and many more are missing after two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to officials.
The boats, which departed from Yemen carrying a total of 310 people, sank in the Red Sea near the east African country on Tuesday, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Djibouti’s coastguard revealed that 61 individuals remain unaccounted for, adding, “search operations are continuing relentlessly.”
This incident marks the latest tragedy on one of the busiest and most perilous migrant routes in the world, heavily trafficked by refugees and migrants from Africa.
A large-scale search effort, supported by the IOM, began early on Monday. So far, 115 survivors have been rescued, with the coastguard affirming their commitment to locating those still missing and ensuring the safety of those who survived.
“We remain dedicated to finding the missing persons,” the agency said in a statement.
The boats capsized just 150 meters (492 feet) from a beach in Djibouti’s north-western Khor Angar region, according to the coastguard.
Thousands of African migrants attempt the dangerous crossing every year, fleeing conflict, natural disasters, and economic hardship in hopes of reaching the wealthier Gulf countries.
Earlier this year, in June, at least 56 Somali and Ethiopian migrants perished and 140 were reported missing after a boat from Somalia sank in the Gulf of Aden off the southern coast of Yemen.
Among those killed were 31 women and six children.
The IOM reported a sharp increase in the number of migrants arriving in Yemen from the Horn of Africa, with figures rising from approximately 73,000 in 2022 to over 97,200 in 2023.
Many of these migrants rely on smugglers who often use overcrowded and unsafe vessels to make the treacherous journey.
Source-BBC
