Rescuers are currently conducting a search for dozens of migrants from Africa who went missing after being forced off two boats in the Red Sea off the coast of Djibouti earlier this week. The Djiboutian coast guard reported that at least 48 individuals had drowned in the tragic incident. The boats had set sail from Yemen, carrying a total of 310 people, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The circumstances surrounding why the migrants were compelled to leave the boats while at sea remain unclear. Initially, reports suggested that the boats had capsized, but later information indicated that smugglers had forced the individuals off the vessels and instructed them to swim to shore.
The tragedy unfolded approximately 150 meters off a beach in Djibouti's northwestern region of Khor Angar. The coast guard disclosed that 115 survivors had been rescued, with ongoing search efforts focusing on deep-sea areas and nearby beaches to locate any missing individuals.
The IOM had initially reported 111 people as missing, while the Djiboutian coast guard estimated the number at 61. Among the survivors was a 4-month-old infant whose mother tragically drowned during the incident.
Irregular migration attempts by thousands of individuals from African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian countries seeking refuge in Europe occur annually. Smugglers often overcrowd vessels with desperate migrants willing to take perilous risks to reach continental Europe.
The civil war in Yemen, which began in 2014, has further exacerbated the situation, prompting many to flee the conflict. The war, characterized by a stalemate along established front lines, has hindered efforts to reach a negotiated resolution.
Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragic event, and we hope for the safe recovery of any missing individuals as the search and rescue operation continues.
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