Dozens missing as boat capsizes off the coast of Djibouti

A migrant boat has capsized off the coast of Djibouti.

The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) has reported that the remains of 52 victims have been recovered.

The tragedy occurred off Godoria, a locality in the Obock region of northeast Djibouti.

After being alerted by local residents, a team of gendarmerie gathered near the reported site of the tragedy where they discovered two survivors.

One of the survivors was an 18-year-old male survivor, who reportedly boarded one of two boats, in his case with some 130 people on board.

Lalini Veerassamy, IOM’s Djibouti Chief of Mission, said:

“This tragic event demonstrates the risks that vulnerable migrants face as they innocently search for better lives. The government of Djibouti has always shown empathy and regional leadership on this critical issue. We will continue to support them to prevent such tragedies and protect migrant lives.”

The International Organisation of Migration report that there have been at least 199 drownings confirmed off the coast of Obock, Djibouti, since 2014.

This news follows the European Union adopting their highest ever humanitarian budget. This will providing funding to the ongoing crisis in Syria and Yemen. Presently, Syria are facing severe flooding which is displacing thousands of families.

Photograph: International Organisation of Migration

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