At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, died when a boat carrying more than 300 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the United Nations’ migration agency.
The vessel was carrying 305 people from Djibouti toward Yemen when it capsized Thursday night or early Friday near Guhere, north of Obock, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Sunday.
At least 84 people remained missing as of Sunday, while more than 80 survived. All the survivors were Ethiopian nationals, according to the agency.
“No one gets into a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said in a statement.
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“We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives. I am asking governments and donors to act before the next boat goes down,” Pope added.
The confirmed death toll includes only victims buried by authorities in Djibouti and could rise as additional bodies are verified, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti Alexandre Coissac told The Associated Press.
Some victims were buried by fellow migrants but will not be added to the official count until authorities can verify the bodies, the outlet reported.
“What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation,” Coissac said. “They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened.”
Coissac said the boat sank shortly after departing on the evening of Oct. 8, “mainly because it was overcrowded.”
Survivors were taken to an IOM rescue center in Obock, where they were receiving medical treatment after swallowing seawater as well as psychological support, according to The Associated Press.
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“They’re all in a state of shock,” Coissac said.
The crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula is a common but dangerous route for migrants seeking work in Gulf countries.
More than 900 migrants died or went missing along the route last year, according to the IOM.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
