GENEVA (AP) — A tragic shipwreck off the coast of Djibouti has claimed the lives of at least 139 migrants, including children, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The boat, carrying over 300 migrants, capsized, and the death toll reported primarily includes those whose bodies have been buried by local authorities.
Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, stated that while the official count is 139, others have been buried by the migrants themselves and will not be included until verified by authorities. He expressed the somber reality that many victims were buried namelessly in a common grave, likening the situation to wartime casualties. "They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened," Coissac remarked.
The boat reportedly departed on the evening of October 8 and sank shortly after leaving shore, primarily due to overcrowding. Coissac noted the local authorities were overwhelmed by the influx of bodies, and rescue operations were complicated by the sheer number of casualties. Surviving migrants are being taken to an IOM rescue center in Obock, where they receive medical care for issues such as sea water ingestion and psychological support.
Many survivors are in shock, with some already aware of the death of their family members, while others have been able to use phones to contact relatives back home. The IOM reports that at least 84 individuals remain missing, marking this incident as one of the deadliest shipwrecks in the hazardous journey from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where migrants often seek jobs in wealthier Gulf nations.
The boat was on its way to Yemen from Djibouti when it capsized late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Of the 305 individuals onboard, more than 80 survived, all identified as Ethiopian nationals. The IOM has indicated the death toll may still increase as rescue efforts continue, with personal belongings belonging to the migrants, such as shoes, washed up on the beach.
Tens of thousands of migrants undertake this treacherous journey from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf each year in search of safety and economic opportunities. Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has intensified recently, migration towards Gulf countries persists. Coissac described this loss of life as devastating and emphasized the dangers inherent in this migration corridor.
In light of the recent tragedy, IOM Director-General Amy Pope highlighted that no one risks such a perilous voyage unless they feel they have no other options. Pope urged for a reevaluation of how these deaths are treated, advocating for the establishment of safe and legal migration pathways. "We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal," she insisted, calling upon governments and donors to take action to prevent future tragedies.
The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project reported that over 900 migrants lost their lives or went missing along this route in the previous year, underscoring the persistent risks faced by those seeking better lives in regions afflicted by economic and social turmoil.
