fbpx
Global News

43 Migrants drown in boat mishap

It is suspected that 43 migrants have drowned after two boats capsized off the coast of Djibouti, the International Organisation for Migration said on Wednesday.

The UN organisation had previously counted only 28 recovered bodies.

“We are expecting the death toll to be much higher than that,” IOM spokesman, Joel Millman, said.

More than 130 migrants were on the boats when they overturned on Tuesday off Godoria, in the north-east of the small Horn of Africa nation, according to the IOM.

Millman said the two boats that set off from the port of Obock were probably carrying mostly Ethiopians and were likely headed to Yemen.

Djibouti has become a major migration route, and thousands of irregular migrants use it as both a country of destination and transit on their journey to the Arabian Peninsula, according to the IOM.

More than 700 migrants have died in the past five years during boat journeys from the Horn of African to Yemen, according to the UN organisation.

Source: dpa/NAN

Follow us on social media

Olusegun Fayose

Olusegun Sunday Fayose, founder of RovingNaija.com is a Marketing Communication executive with experience in Corporate Communication, Public Relations, Branding and Advertising. He is also a seasoned media professional with roots in print, broadcast and online journalism. Segun, who last managed the Group Corporate Communication function of MultiChoice Nigeria, is upbeat that through responsible, fair, accurate and courageous reporting; and the support of readers, followers and patrons, Nigeria takes a step closer to a regime of accountability, fairness and equity in governance.

Related Articles

Back to top button