Survivors of Somali Migrant Boat Tragedy Return to Mogadishu

Government officials welcomed around fifty Somalis who escaped a migrant boat catastrophe last month when they returned to Mogadishu on Saturday.

About twenty-five persons were killed when the two boats they were traveling in overturned off the coast of Madagascar, and they were rescued.

When the survivors were reunited with their relatives, there were tearful scenes at the airport.

“I offer my condolences to my sister Hanan and all others who lost their lives in the accident. Haboon Deeqa expressed her happiness at her brother Ahmed’s safe return.

“I am too upset to say much, but I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped save them and ensure their safe return. I’m grateful to everyone,” she remarked.

The group had been at sea for nearly a month hoping to reach the French island territory of Mayotte some 1,600 kilometres away.

“We were 75 in total, and 28 people died. Among those who died was my cousin, she was the daughter of my uncle. Forty-seven of us, myself included, have survived this accident,” said survivor Ahmed Hussein Mahadalle.

Unemployment, poverty, and drought in the Horn of Africa forces many young Somalis to undertake the dangerous journey to Mayotte in the hope of reaching Europe and a better life.

Somalia’s foreign affairs minister recently urged the country’s youth to be aware of the risks and to prioritise their safety.

Speaking at the airport, Maryan Yasin, the president’s counselor on refugee affairs, expressed her happiness that the group had made it back safely.

They promised me that they would never again take that chance. The Somali administration is determined to find a solution, and it will take teamwork to do it.

The growing number of people escaping conflict and drought in the Horn of Africa has alarmed the UN.