Over 24 Migrants Unaccounted for After Unfortunate Ship Incident Near Djibouti Coast

More than 24 migrants are tragically missing and believed to be dead after a shipwreck off the coastline of Djibouti. The incident took place on the night of August 17th, near the town of Obock, in the Godoria region of northeast Djibouti. Survivors of the tragedy, which involved around 60 migrants, including 18 women and at least 2 children below 18 years old, have reported that 26 migrants were rescued while 11 bodies have been recovered so far.

Efforts to find survivors and conduct rescue operations are currently underway, led by the authorities in Djibouti.

Each year, more than 200,000 migrants embark on a treacherous journey from Djibouti’s coast, crossing the Gulf of Aden where this vessel encountered trouble. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports an increase in deaths along this route both at sea and on the mainland in recent months. Since 2014, at least 417 individuals have lost their lives on migration routes in Djibouti, according to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project.

Despite the risks involved, the number of Ethiopian migrants arriving in Djibouti from the Arabian Peninsula and Ethiopia itself continues to rise.

“This is an awful tragedy highlighting the immense challenges faced by migrants and the communities hosting them along this route. IOM is collaborating with the Djiboutian authorities and donors to address the needs of those affected by this incident and support the local authorities in their response,” stated Tanja Pacifico, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti.