The UN says over 130 African migrants feared to have drowned off the coast of Djibouti

January 30, 2019 11:13 AM

Accoridng to the IOM two overloaded boats capsized in rough seas off Djibouti

The spokesperson of IOM, said more than 130 African migrants have gone missing off Djibouti
Joel Millman said the two vessels that capsized were on their way to Yemen
He indicated that some survivors have been rescued

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has revealed that over 130 African migrants have gone missing off Djibouti.

According to the IOM, this happened after two overloaded boats capsized in rough seas on Tuesday.

The spokesperson for IOM Joel Millman said the vessels were on their way to Yemen.

Yemen is now seen as the gateway to Gulf countries where many migrants hope to find jobs and better lives.

Local residents who found some of the survivors alerted IOM officials. A team of gendarmes found two survivors and the bodies of five migrants. The boats were believed to have capsized off Godoria, in Djibouti’s Obock region.

Meanwhile, IOM staff identified an 18-year-old male survivor who is believed to be part of the 130 passengers on the first boat, but the IOM said that he had no information on the second craft.