At least 16 people have died and 28 others are missing after a tragic accident where a boat carrying 77 asylum seekers capsized off the coast of Djibouti. This incident marks another devastating event on the perilous “eastern migration route” from Africa to the Middle East. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing support to local authorities with search and rescue efforts, but the death toll includes children and an infant.
The boat was carrying Ethiopians from Yemen, according to Ethiopia’s ambassador to Djibouti, and the accident occurred off Godoria in northeastern Djibouti. The survivors included 33 people, with one woman among them. This is not the first recent tragedy on this route, as another boat sank off the coast of Godoria just two weeks prior, resulting in the deaths of several dozen people, including children. The Ethiopian embassy in Djibouti had confirmed that this previous boat was carrying Ethiopians from Djibouti to Yemen.
Many African asylum seekers choose to brave the “eastern route” across the Red Sea and through Yemen to reach Saudi Arabia, fleeing conflict, natural disasters, or seeking better economic opportunities. The journey is fraught with dangers such as starvation, health risks, and exploitation by human traffickers and criminals. The IOM has reported an increase in the number of people attempting this journey, with Ethiopians comprising the majority of arrivals in Yemen from Djibouti or Somalia. Ethiopia itself faces conflicts and severe drought, with a significant portion of its population reliant on food aid.
In 2023, the IOM reported that at least 698 people, including women and children, died crossing the Gulf of Aden from Djibouti to Yemen. This highlights the immense risks faced by asylum seekers and migrants on this dangerous route. The IOM is actively involved in providing support and assistance to those affected by these tragedies, including search and rescue operations. The loss of lives, including children, underscores the urgent need for enhanced efforts to address the root causes of migration and to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations attempting these perilous journeys.
