Heart-wrenching news has emerged as the United Nations reports that four boats carrying African migrants have tragically capsized off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti. This devastating incident has resulted in the loss of two lives and left 186 individuals missing, sparking a desperate search for survivors.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been at the forefront of rescue efforts, revealing that two boats sank in Yemeni waters late Thursday, with 181 migrants and five Yemeni crew members unaccounted for. The survivors who were rescued from the treacherous waters have shared distressing accounts of the overcrowded and fragile vessels they were aboard.
Most of the passengers were Ethiopian migrants, including 57 women, who embarked on this perilous journey in a bid to reach the Gulf countries for better opportunities. Tragically, at the same time, two more boats capsized off Djibouti’s coast, resulting in the loss of two lives, while all other passengers were thankfully saved.
The incidents have been attributed to strong winds in the region, causing instability for the already overloaded boats. The IOM has underscored the dangers of migration routes across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, which serve as major transit paths for thousands of migrants annually, particularly those from the Horn of Africa seeking brighter prospects in wealthier Gulf states.
However, these journeys are fraught with risks due to unseaworthy vessels, overcrowding, and adverse weather conditions. Migrants often fall prey to exploitation by smugglers who prioritize profits over safety, leaving them vulnerable to harm or even death.
Despite ongoing search efforts, the hope of finding more survivors is dwindling. The tragic loss of lives in these incidents serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants seeking a better life, highlighting the urgent need for safer migration policies and practices.
