Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 2 — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a critical appeal for addressing the underlying issues driving perilous migration journeys along the Red Sea, following a tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least 45 migrants off the coast of Djibouti.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the UN migration agency reported that 45 individuals have died, with an additional 111 still unaccounted for after smugglers forced them off their vessel into open waters. This incident occurred near Obock, where two boats were transporting migrants returning from Yemen.
IOM highlighted that 2024 is shaping up to be the deadliest year for migrant crossings between East Africa and Yemen. This recent tragedy marks the second most lethal event on this route this year, following a June incident that resulted in the deaths of 196 people.
Survivors recounted harrowing details, stating that one boat held 100 migrants while another carried 210. They were ordered by Yemeni operators to abandon their vessel and swim to safety. A woman tragically drowned, but her four-month-old baby was among the 98 who survived from the first boat.
Currently, rescue operations are ongoing, with the Djiboutian coast guard searching for those still missing. So far, 55 individuals have been rescued and are receiving medical and psychological support. IOM’s team in Djibouti is actively assisting in these emergency efforts, working alongside the Djiboutian government to provide humanitarian aid, medical care, and shelter for survivors.
Frantz Celestin, IOM’s Regional Director for East, Horn, and Southern Africa, emphasized the pressing need to safeguard and address the needs of migrants traversing this perilous route. “This latest tragedy starkly illustrates the urgent need to protect vulnerable migrants traveling from the Horn of Africa to Yemen and beyond,” he stated.
He urged the international community to enhance support for IOM’s initiatives aimed at saving lives and tackling the root causes that compel these individuals to undertake such dangerous journeys. “The exploitation by smugglers must be addressed urgently,” Celestin added.
IOM data indicates that prior to this latest tragedy, there had already been 124 recorded deaths in 2024 off Djibouti’s coast. Since 2014, the IOM Missing Migrants Project has documented over 1,300 migrant deaths due to drowning along this Eastern route, with 337 fatalities occurring between January and August of this year.
This migration corridor, which stretches from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, remains one of the busiest in Africa. Many Ethiopian migrants utilize this route in pursuit of better opportunities in Gulf countries, often returning home after unsuccessful attempts.
The IOM has called on the global community to take immediate action to address the root causes of these hazardous journeys. Thousands of migrants remain stranded along this route, enduring harsh conditions and facing various forms of violence and exploitation.
“This situation underscores the urgent need for effective measures to protect migrants and prevent further loss of life,” the agency concluded.
In many cases, desperate East African migrants risk their lives crossing treacherous waters in hopes of reaching the Middle East, particularly aiming for Saudi Arabia via war-torn Yemen.
(File photo from the United Nations)
