At least 139 individuals, including minors, lost their lives in a tragic incident when a vessel carrying over 300 migrants overturned near Djibouti in East Africa, as reported by the International Organization for Migration on Sunday.
This count includes only those laid to rest by Djibouti authorities. Additional individuals have been interred by fellow migrants, pending official confirmation of their identities, stated Alexandre Coissac, IOM’s head of mission in Djibouti.
Coissac highlighted the distressing reality of anonymous burials in a mass grave akin to wartime circumstances. He emphasized the human aspect, noting that each deceased person has a family story that may never be fully known.
The ill-fated journey began on the evening of October 8 when migrants boarded the vessel, which quickly sank due to overcrowding near the shore, according to Coissac. Despite the efforts of local authorities, the influx of bodies overwhelmed their capacity to manage the situation effectively.
Surviving migrants are being transported to the IOM rescue center in Obock for medical treatment and emotional support after enduring the traumatic ordeal of swallowing seawater.
As rescue operations continue, concern mounts for the 84 individuals still unaccounted for in one of the deadliest maritime disasters along the route from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.
The vessel, en route from Djibouti to Yemen, capsized either late Thursday or early Friday, with over 80 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, according to the IOM. The UN migration agency based in Geneva confirmed the vessel’s passenger count at 305 and cautioned that the death toll could rise further.
Personal belongings, such as shoes possibly belonging to the migrants, were spotted on a beach in a video shared by the IOM, underscoring the ongoing search efforts for missing persons.
Describing the loss of life as devastating, Coissac emphasized the perilous journey migrants undertake along this migration corridor in pursuit of economic opportunities despite the escalating conflict in Yemen.
In recent weeks, amidst heightened hostilities in Yemen, Djibouti has provided aid to over 2,000 Yemeni nationals, marking a reversal of migration patterns. The current tragedy starkly underscores the risks faced by migrants seeking better prospects across borders.
The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project recorded over 900 migrant fatalities or disappearances along this route last year, underscoring the urgency for safe and legal migration routes to prevent further loss of life. IOM director general Amy Pope urged governments and donors to take proactive measures to prevent future tragedies at sea.
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