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MOGADISHU, East Africa --- At least 24 Somali nationals have died after two boats carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Madagascar, local officials have confirmed.
The vessels, was said to be carrying a total of 70 passengers across the Indian Ocean, when the engines suddenly failed.
In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences and assured that efforts were underway to “ensure the safe return of the survivors.”
It was reliably gathered that fishermen at the scene of the incident reportedly rescued those who managed to survive the disaster.
Survivors revealed that their intended destination was the French island of Mayotte.
The journey, fraught with danger, is often undertaken by those desperate to escape unemployment and poverty in their home countries in the hope of a better life in Europe.
Madagascan authorities have warned against the severe risks associated with illegal migration.
The authorities affirmed that the victims were migrants attempting to cross to Mayotte. However, the situation is still under probe.
The authorities underscored the need for international cooperation to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, conflict, and lack of economic opportunities in the Horn of Africa.
Madagascar’s Port, Maritime, and River Authority (APMF) said the boats had set sail from Somalia for the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on Nov. 2, a journey of several hundred kilometers.
