At least 139 individuals, including children, have lost their lives following a tragic incident where a vessel carrying over 300 migrants overturned near Djibouti in East Africa, as reported by the International Organization for Migration on Sunday.
The official death toll accounts for those who have been laid to rest by authorities in Djibouti. Additional fatalities have been buried by the migrants themselves, pending verification by authorities, according to Alexandre Coissac, the IOM chief of mission in Djibouti.
Coissac expressed deep concern over the anonymous burials, highlighting the lack of closure for the deceased migrants’ families. The tragic event occurred shortly after the migrants embarked on the ship on the evening of October 8, resulting in the vessel sinking due to overcrowding near the shore.
Despite efforts by local authorities, the influx of bodies overwhelmed them as they reached the shore. Surviving migrants are being transported to the IOM rescue center in Obock for medical treatment and psychological support.
The survivors are in a state of shock, as confirmed by Coissac during his visit to the shipwreck site. Some are already aware of their family members’ demise, while others were provided with phones to inform their loved ones of their safety.
With 84 individuals still missing, this incident marks one of the deadliest shipwrecks on the perilous journey from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where migrants seek employment in prosperous Gulf nations.
The vessel, which was en route from Djibouti to Yemen, capsized either on Thursday night or Friday morning, carrying mostly Ethiopian nationals. The UN migration agency based in Geneva reported 305 people onboard and cautioned that the death toll might increase.
Personal belongings, such as shoes believed to belong to the migrants, were discovered on a nearby beach. Rescue operations are ongoing as concerns grow for the missing individuals.
The IOM emphasized the continuous migration flow from the Horn of Africa to Gulf countries despite escalating conflicts in Yemen. Coissac reiterated the tragic loss of life and called for safer migration pathways to prevent such disasters in the future.
In recent weeks, over 2,000 Yemenis in Djibouti have received aid amidst the escalating conflict in Yemen. This situation contrasts with the traditional migration patterns towards Yemen, where migrants seek work in countries like Saudi Arabia.
Last year, over 900 migrants lost their lives or went missing along this perilous route, as documented by the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project. Amy Pope, IOM director general, stressed the urgency for governments and donors to establish safe and legal pathways to safeguard migrant lives.