A heartbreaking accident occurred in Ethiopia's northeastern Afar region where at least 22 migrants lost their lives and about 65 others were injured when a lorry they were traveling in overturned. The lorry was carrying approximately 85 Ethiopian migrants traveling along a common migration route which typically starts from Ethiopia, goes through Djibouti, across the Red Sea to Yemen, and leads to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
While the final destination of the migrants was unclear, the route is known for being a major corridor for job seekers from the Horn of Africa heading to Gulf states. Of the injured, 30 are reported to be in critical condition. Ali Biedo, a senior official from Afar, stated that the tragedy occurred due to the lorry being misled by illegal brokers who often overlook the dangers associated with such journeys.
In response to the incident, the Afar regional government has promised ongoing support to the affected individuals while also cautioning young Ethiopians against the risks of human trafficking driven by false promises of better lives abroad. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has described the journey from the Horn of Africa to Yemen as among the most perilous mixed migration routes, underlining the persistent danger migrants face despite the high number of arrivals. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants reportedly reached Yemen, with many aiming for the Gulf.
This accident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards that migrants endure in their search for a better future.
While the final destination of the migrants was unclear, the route is known for being a major corridor for job seekers from the Horn of Africa heading to Gulf states. Of the injured, 30 are reported to be in critical condition. Ali Biedo, a senior official from Afar, stated that the tragedy occurred due to the lorry being misled by illegal brokers who often overlook the dangers associated with such journeys.
In response to the incident, the Afar regional government has promised ongoing support to the affected individuals while also cautioning young Ethiopians against the risks of human trafficking driven by false promises of better lives abroad. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has described the journey from the Horn of Africa to Yemen as among the most perilous mixed migration routes, underlining the persistent danger migrants face despite the high number of arrivals. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants reportedly reached Yemen, with many aiming for the Gulf.
This accident serves as a stark reminder of the hazards that migrants endure in their search for a better future.
