At least 45 migrants have died and dozens are missing after two vessels carrying refugees sank off the coast of Djibouti, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The boats, which left Yemen with 310 people on board, sank in the Red Sea just 150 meters from a beach near Djibouti’s northwest Khor Angar region. Rescue efforts have been ongoing since early Monday, with 32 survivors found and 115 rescued in total so far.
This tragic incident adds to the dangers faced by migrants traveling along the Red Sea route, described as one of the busiest and most dangerous migration routes in the world by humanitarian organizations. Tens of thousands of people annually attempt to cross the Red Sea from Africa to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, seeking better opportunities for work and escape from conflict, political violence, and climate change.
However, these journeys come with significant risks, including drowning, health risks, violence, and exploitation by human smugglers. In 2023, nearly 400,000 people crossed the Eastern Route, with almost 700 people dying or going missing. Since 2014, nearly 1,000 people have lost their lives or disappeared on this perilous journey.
The Djibouti coastguard is continuing search and rescue operations to find the missing persons and ensure the safety of survivors. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dire situation faced by migrants and the need for international cooperation to address the root causes driving people to take such dangerous journeys.
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