At Least 22 Somali Migrants Dead After Boats Capsize Off Madagascar Coast

Mogadishu/Antananarivo, November 25, 2024 – At least 22 Somali citizens have died after two migrant boats capsized off the coast of Madagascar over the weekend, according to Somalia’s Information Minister Daud Aweis. The boats, which had set sail from Somalia on November 2, were en route to the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, located several hundred kilometers away.

Madagascar’s Port, Maritime, and River Authority (APMF) reported that the first boat, which had 32 people aboard, was discovered drifting near Nosy Iranja on Friday by local fishermen. The fishermen rescued 25 people, but seven of the passengers died. A second boat, carrying 38 individuals, reached Madagascar’s Port du Cratère, where 23 survivors were rescued. The death toll from the second boat has not been disclosed, though Aweis confirmed the overall death toll at 22.

The tragic incident is part of a larger pattern of illegal migration attempts to Mayotte, which offers a higher standard of living and access to French welfare benefits. Thousands have made the perilous journey in recent years, despite the dangers posed by overcrowded and poorly equipped vessels.

Minister Aweis condemned the individuals responsible for organizing the trip, calling them criminals involved in illegal immigration. He also issued a warning to others considering similar dangerous journeys, emphasizing the risks involved. Somalia has pledged to investigate the origins of the boats, while also addressing the broader issue of illegal migration.(Reuters)