Deadly Migrant Incident Off Djibouti Coast

A maritime tragedy off the coast of Djibouti has resulted in the recovery of at least 45 bodies and left over 100 migrants missing after smugglers forced them to jump from two vessels. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the boats, which were en route from Yemen to Djibouti with a total of 310 passengers, sank near Obock. So far, 154 survivors have been rescued, including a four-month-old infant whose mother drowned. This incident marks 2024 as the deadliest year on record for sea crossings along the Eastern Route, a perilous migration corridor for many fleeing the Horn of Africa. Meanwhile, in the Canary Islands, Spanish authorities have suspended the search for at least 48 missing migrants from a separate boat sinking, which resulted in nine confirmed fatalities. The surge in such incidents highlights the dangers faced by migrants seeking better opportunities in the Gulf region.