MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least 22 Somali nationals died on Saturday when two small boats carrying 70 passengers capsized off the coast of Madagascar. The migrants were heading to Europe in search of a better life than what they have in Somalia.
Madagascar’s coast guard rescued 48 survivors, who are being cared for, while the bodies of 22 victims, most of them women, were recovered.
Somalia’s Information Minister, Da’ud Aweis, confirmed the disaster on Sunday, expressing condolences for the loss of 22 lives. He added that Somali officials are en route to Madagascar to assist in the repatriation of the survivors.
The migrants are believed to have traveled from Mogadishu to Nairobi, then to Mombasa in Kenya, where they met smugglers who took them to Madagascar, and eventually, to Europe. Tragically, many lost their lives during the journey.
Some survivors reported that a few of their friends died from starvation after being rescued, while others drowned after struggling to swim.
Madagascar is now seen as an alternative route for Somali migrants trying to avoid Libya, where many have ended up trapped in trafficker-run camps, enduring harsh conditions and having their families forced to pay ransoms.
