Search on as 20 more bodies of migrants found off Djibouti

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – At least 20 more bodies of migrants have been recovered while a search is underway for over 90 migrants still missing after smugglers forced them into the open sea off the coast of Djibouti, local media reported on Thursday.

Local media showed harrowing footage of the Djiboutian coast guard's search efforts, with at least 20 bodies in body bags on the beach being loaded onto trucks.

Recovery teams continue their search for over 90 migrants who remain missing after being forced into the sea by smugglers.

The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed on Wednesday at least 45 migrants have died, and 111 are missing after smugglers forced passengers off two boats into the open sea off the coast of Djibouti.

The tragic incident, described as the second deadliest for migrants crossing from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, occurred near Obock, close to Godoria. According to the UN, 196 people died in June 2024 on the same route.

The IOM has called this incident a "starkest reminder" of the risks migrants face as they attempt the dangerous journey across the Gulf of Aden.

So far, 154 survivors have been rescued, but over 90 migrants remain unaccounted for.

Djibouti remains a critical transit point for migrants attempting to cross from the Horn of Africa to the Middle East as smuggling networks continue to exploit vulnerable individuals, forcing them into dangerous waters.

​​​​​​​According to survivors, one of the boats carried 100 migrants while the second one had 210 on board. Smugglers forced the passengers to disembark and swim to shore, leading to numerous deaths.

The IOM has said it is supporting state emergency services in search and rescue operations.