At least 45 people have died, and many others are missing after two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Djibouti.
The boats, carrying a total of 310 individuals, left Yemen before sinking in the Red Sea on Tuesday, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
As of now, 61 individuals are still unaccounted for, with search operations ongoing. Djibouti’s coastguard reported, “To date, 61 individuals are still missing and the search operations are continuing relentlessly.”
This tragedy is part of a series of disasters affecting one of the world’s busiest and most perilous migration routes, which is commonly used by refugees and migrants from Africa.
In a concerted effort, a “large-scale search” began early on Monday, supported by the IOM, and so far, 115 survivors have been rescued.
The boats sank just 150 meters (492 feet) from a beach near Djibouti’s north-west Khor Angar region, as noted by the coastguard.
Every year, thousands of African migrants attempt the perilous journey across the Red Sea toward the oil-rich Gulf, seeking to escape conflict, natural disasters, and poor economic conditions.
In a similar incident in June, at least 56 Somali and Ethiopian migrants lost their lives, with 140 others reported missing after a boat capsized in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen’s southern coast. Tragically, among the deceased were 31 women and six children.
The number of migrants arriving in Yemen from the Horn of Africa has increased significantly, rising from approximately 73,000 in 2022 to over 97,200 last year, according to the IOM. Many migrants are forced to rely on smugglers, who often use overcrowded and dangerous vessels for these treacherous crossings.
