Djibouti: Migration tragedy in the Red Sea, 45 dead in two shipwrecks

On October 2, 2024, two tragic shipwrecks off the coast of Djibouti claimed the lives of at least 45 African migrants. These boats, carrying more than 310 people from Yemen, were trying to reach the Arabian Peninsula. The Djiboutian coastguard managed to rescue 115 survivors, but dozens of people remain missing. This tragedy highlights once again the dangerous migratory routes taken by thousands of people seeking a better future in Europe or the Middle East.

A recurring tragedy on the coasts of Djibouti

This disaster, unfortunately, is just another episode in the series of migration tragedies affecting the Red Sea. Every year, thousands of migrants from East African countries such as Somalia and Ethiopia risk their lives trying to cross this region. Unscrupulous smugglers cram these individuals into overcrowded, makeshift boats, with no regard for safety or weather conditions. This tragedy highlights the continued failure of efforts to combat trafficking networks.

The disastrous humanitarian context

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recalled that the living conditions of migrants in this region are deplorable. Between the violence of smugglers, conflicts in their countries of origin, and often disappointed hopes in their host countries, migrants find themselves stuck in a vicious circle. The Djiboutian authorities, in collaboration with the IOM, have launched a search operation to find the missing bodies, but this situation highlights once again the complexity of managing migratory flows in this region of the globe.

Insufficient actions?

Faced with the scale of this humanitarian crisis, political responses appear inadequate. Although rescue operations are being organized and international agencies are advocating for the care of migrants, these initiatives remain limited given the scale of the problem. The absence of sustainable solutions in countries of origin, such as Ethiopia, Somalia or Yemen, and the lack of security on migration routes force thousands of people to risk their lives.

International community called to act

This new tragedy calls for an urgent response from local governments and the international community. Safe management of migration routes, dismantling of trafficking networks and stronger humanitarian support in countries of origin could help stem this human haemorrhage. If these shipwrecks continue, the death toll will continue to rise, and the Red Sea will become a new Mediterranean for desperate African migrants.