Ethiopian Embassy Confirms Fatal Incident Involving 48 Migrants Off Djibouti Coast

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 05 October 2024 00:28

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Ethiopian Embassy Confirms Fatal Incident Involving 48 Migrants Off Djibouti Coast

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti (HORN OBSERVER) – The Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti has confirmed that all 48 migrants who tragically lost their lives in a boat capsized incident on October 1, 2024, were Ethiopian nationals.

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PHOTO: IOM.

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti (HORN OBSERVER) – The Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti has confirmed that all 48 migrants who tragically lost their lives in a boat capsized incident on October 1, 2024, were Ethiopian nationals.

The incident involved two overcrowded vessels transporting a total of 320 migrants from Yemen to Djibouti.

In a statement, the embassy reported that a verification process conducted at the scene confirmed that "all the migrants involved in this unfortunate event are Ethiopians.” The embassy also noted that 197 survivors were rescued and have been relocated to the international refugee camp in Obock.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said three days ago that at least 45 people have tragically died and 111 still missing after they were forced off their vessel in open sea by smugglers. The incident that occurred off the coast of Obock, near Godoria involving two boats transporting migrants returning from Yemen.

Expressing "deep sorrow” over the loss of life, the embassy indicated that search efforts continue for the 75 remaining passengers who are still unaccounted for.

The embassy urged stronger measures to combat human trafficking, stating that "increased cooperation among institutions is essential to curb illegal human trafficking.”

The Ethiopian Embassy pledged that the Ethiopian government would take "strong action” against those implicated in such activities.

Earlier reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), based on survivor accounts, revealed that smugglers forced migrants into the sea from the overcrowded boats—one carrying 100 individuals and the other 210.

This incident is part of a troubling trend involving Ethiopian migrants. In August, a separate boat capsized off Yemen’s Ta’iz governorate, resulting in 13 deaths and 14 individuals reported missing.

Similar tragedies have occurred in recent months, leading to the deaths of dozens of Ethiopian migrants attempting perilous sea crossings.