Two vessels carrying migrants from Africa sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Djibouti, resulting in the deaths of 45 individuals, the United Nations migration agency announced Tuesday.
The boats had departed from Yemen, carrying a total of 310 people, according to the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM, which is assisting in search and rescue operations, reported on the social media platform X that 32 survivors were rescued. Djibouti’s coast guard confirmed the tragedy occurred approximately 500 feet off a beach near the northwest Khor Angar region. They indicated that a joint rescue operation began early Monday, ultimately rescuing 115 individuals.
“We remain committed to finding the missing persons and ensuring the safety of the survivors,” the IOM stated in the social media post, sharing images of white body bags in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Every year, thousands of migrants from African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian countries attempt irregular and dangerous migration in search of better lives in Europe and beyond. Smugglers often pack these vessels with desperate individuals willing to risk their lives for a chance to reach continental Europe.
The dangerous crossing from Yemen to Djibouti is a known route for migrants attempting to reach Europe. This route is often fraught with peril, as vessels are frequently overcrowded and lack safety measures. In recent years, numerous tragedies have highlighted the risks associated with this journey, underscoring the desperate and dangerous conditions faced by those fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability in their home countries.
As the situation continues to unfold along this Red Sea migrant route, efforts are underway to provide assistance and support to those affected by this latest disaster.
The Red Sea has been subject to serious incidents in recent days, with a suspected Houthis attack reported on Tuesday where a drone boat loaded with explosives struck a commercial ship in the Red Sea, according to the British military and private security officials.
This incident, along with another missile strike earlier that day, appeared to mark the Houthis’ first actions targeting commercial shipping in recent weeks.
The drone attack occurred roughly 70 miles off the coast of the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. According to a ship’s captain in the area, four “splashes” were observed near the vessel, which the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center suggested could have been the result of missiles or drones.
Not long after, a second attack was reported further north, heightening concerns over the safety of commercial shipping lanes in the region.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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