38 Migrants Dead, Dozens Rescued After Ship Capsizes Off Djibouti on Dangerous Route to Yemen”

38 Migrants Dead, Dozens Rescued After Ship Capsizes Off Djibouti on Dangerous Route to Yemen”

The United Nations migration agency confirmed a tragic loss of life on Tuesday after a ship capsized off the coast of Djibouti, claiming the lives of 38 migrants. The incident occurred on a popular route used by migrants attempting to reach Yemen, a destination for those fleeing conflict and seeking work in Gulf countries.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 22 people survived the wreck, and rescue teams are continuing their search for six additional migrants who were believed to have been on board. Among the dead were many women and children, including infants, as the ship was overcrowded with passengers. Yvonne Ndege, IOM spokesperson, expressed the agency’s sorrow, stating, “At least 38 people perished in this latest tragedy, many of them women, children, and even babies unfortunately lost their lives when the boat capsized.”

The IOM has been coordinating with local authorities to provide aid to the survivors, offering medical assistance and psychological support to help them cope with the trauma. “IOM, in coordination and partnership with local authorities, is helping to respond to the needs of those who survived and help them deal with the trauma that they are facing,” Ndege added.

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Djibouti serves as a primary transit point for migrants traveling from countries in the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia and Somalia, toward the Gulf nations. Migrants often embark on this perilous journey in search of better economic opportunities, driven by factors such as conflict, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change. The IOM reports that these conditions are key drivers of migration, as individuals seek to escape dire situations at home.

However, the journey is fraught with danger. Migrants on this route are at risk of exploitation by traffickers, who may subject them to kidnapping, arbitrary detention, and forced recruitment into armed groups, especially in conflict-ridden Yemen. The route is described by the IOM as “extremely dangerous,” with many migrants facing exploitation and violence along the way.

The tragic sinking highlights the ongoing risks faced by migrants in the region and underscores the urgent need for enhanced protection and support for vulnerable populations seeking refuge from conflict and hardship.

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