A boat carrying migrants from Djibouti to Yemen has capsized in a major accident in Africa, claiming the lives of about 109 people. A further 116 migrants are missing in the water, while 80 people survived the disaster.
The vessel, which was carrying around 305 passengers, went down in the Guhere area near the city of Obock in Djibouti. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), all of the survivors are Ethiopian nationals. Rescue operations were launched after the incident to save those who had been submerged in the sea.
So far, 109 bodies have been recovered. They include 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, among them nine girls and six boys. The whereabouts of the 116 missing passengers remain unknown.
The presence of children among the dead has left many deeply saddened, as the tragedy has once again underscored the dangers faced by those attempting such sea crossings.
IOM representatives expressed sorrow that poor families, particularly women and children, continue to choose perilous sea routes in search of a livelihood and lose their lives in such accidents.