MOGADISHU, Somalia — On Saturday, nearly 50 individuals who survived a tragic migrant boat incident last month, which resulted in the loss of 25 lives in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar, returned to Somalia. They were greeted by officials upon their arrival.
The survivors, ranging in age from 17 to 50, donned garments in the colors of the Somali national flag as they stepped off the plane in Mogadishu, showing clear signs of relief at being back in safety.
Each year, numerous young Somalis embark on perilous journeys in search of improved opportunities overseas. Concerns have been raised by U.N. agencies regarding the increasing trend of irregular migration from countries in the Horn of Africa, as many flee conflict and severe drought conditions.
The survivors recounted their harrowing experience of being adrift at sea for 13 days after their boat’s engine failed. Ahmed Hussein, who lost his cousin during the journey, shared that they had aimed to reach Europe in hopes of a better life. Two boats departed Somalia at the beginning of last month with a total of 73 migrants onboard.
“We were divided into two smaller boats when the engine broke down, and we ended up drifting without power for 13 days. We had no food or water, and the meager supply of dates we initially took with us was exhausted. Our only means of survival was catching some fish,” he recounted.
Previously, officials in both Madagascar and Somalia reported that the boats had capsized but did not provide additional details. Initially, authorities stated that 48 survived, yet only 47 were confirmed to have arrived in Somalia. The fate of one additional survivor remains unknown, and officials refrained from commenting on the matter.
The boats set off from a location near Mogadishu on November 2, with the intention of reaching Mayotte, a French archipelago located approximately 1,600 kilometers (990 miles) from the Somali capital. Jean-Edmond Randrianantenaina, head of Madagascar’s Maritime Ports Agency, provided this information.
Abdirashid Ibrahim, another survivor, described the aftermath of their rescue, noting that some individuals experienced swollen ankles and were unable to walk. “On the boat, there was no space to sleep, no food, and we were crammed together. Some passed away due to shock, while others succumbed to starvation,” he explained.
Abdulkadir Burgal, director of the Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was present at the airport for the survivors’ return and commented that some individuals who facilitated the migrants’ perilous voyage had been apprehended, while others perished during the ordeal. “Eight individuals involved in the trafficking of Somali migrants have been detained,” he confirmed.
Maryan Yasin, the president’s special envoy for migration, shared that the survivors expressed gratitude for their return home. “They assured me they would never undertake such a dangerous journey again. The Somali government is dedicated to seeking a resolution to this issue, which will require a collective effort,” she stated.
