ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Tragically, the death toll has increased to 25 after two boats that were transporting migrants from Somalia capsized in the waters of the Indian Ocean near Madagascar. Authorities reported this update on Monday.

These migrants had been navigating the seas for close to a month in hopes of reaching Mayotte, a French island territory. Meanwhile, another 48 individuals were rescued from the ocean near Nosy Be, an island off Madagascar’s northern coast, as confirmed by Jean-Edmond Randrianantenaina, the director of Madagascar’s Maritime Ports Agency.

According to officials from Somalia, 24 deceased individuals were accounted for, but the specific reasons behind the capsizing of the boats remain unclear. The vessels departed from a beach close to Mogadishu, the Somali capital, on November 2, carrying a total of 73 passengers, with their destination being Mayotte, which is located approximately 1,600 kilometers (or 990 miles) from Mogadishu.

The survivors of this harrowing ordeal are reported to be aged between 17 and 50. Randrianantenaina noted that an investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, and a government delegation from Somalia is expected to arrive to facilitate the repatriation of its nationals. Additionally, Madagascar’s foreign ministry has reached out to the U.N. International Organization for Migration for assistance in this matter.

Every year, a significant number of young Somalis undertake perilous journeys in search of improved prospects abroad. The U.N. agency has previously expressed concerns regarding the escalating trend of irregular migration from countries in the Horn of Africa, as people flee situations of conflict and severe drought.

Earlier this year, in April, 38 migrants lost their lives, while 22 others were rescued from a shipwreck near Djibouti along a commonly used migration route to Yemen. Many of those rescued were nationals from Somalia and Ethiopia, seeking employment opportunities in the Gulf States.