A tragic migrant boat disaster has struck off the coast of Djibouti, claiming the lives of at least 16 people and leaving 28 others missing. This heart-wrenching incident is the most recent in a string of deadly events along the Eastern Migration Route, a perilous path taken by African migrants seeking refuge or economic opportunities.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the ill-fated vessel was carrying approximately 77 migrants, including children. The IOM and local authorities have swiftly initiated search and rescue operations in the hopes of locating survivors. This tragedy comes close on the heels of another devastating incident just two weeks prior, where a boat carrying Ethiopian migrants sank off the same coast, resulting in dozens of fatalities.
The Eastern Migration Route remains a dangerous and frequently deadly path for migrants fleeing conflict, natural disasters, or seeking better economic opportunities. The perilous journey across the Red Sea and through war-torn Yemen to reach Saudi Arabia is one that many tens of thousands of African migrants undertake each year.
The IOM has expressed deep concern over the rising number of migrant boat disasters in the region and has called for increased international cooperation to address the root causes of migration and provide safe and legal alternatives for those seeking to flee persecution or economic hardship.
