Smugglers Force Migrants Into Sea Off Djibouti Killing Eight Leaving 22 Missing
ADDIS ABABA — At least eight migrants died and 22 remain missing after a horrific incident off the coast of Djibouti, where smugglers attacked a boat and forced passengers into the sea, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Wednesday.
The tragedy occurred last Thursday when a vessel carrying approximately 150 migrants was intercepted by smugglers. According to the IOM, the attackers ordered the migrants to disembark “far from the coast,” forcing them to swim in open waters to survive. Many never made it.
“The passengers were left to swim for their lives in open water,” the IOM said in a statement. The motive behind the smugglers’ actions remains unclear.
Deadly Eastern Route Continues to Claim Lives
This incident is the latest in a string of tragedies along the “Eastern Route” — a perilous migration path across the Red Sea from Djibouti to Yemen, commonly used by African migrants hoping to reach Gulf nations in search of better economic opportunities.
In 2024 alone, the IOM recorded at least 558 migrant deaths on the Eastern Route, with 462 resulting from shipwrecks. Despite the dangers, thousands continue to risk the journey, often falling prey to human traffickers and smugglers who exploit their desperation.
The IOM has called for greater international cooperation to address the root causes of forced migration and to dismantle the criminal networks operating across key migration corridors.