Antananarivo, Madagascar(Mogadishu24)-Two boats carrying Somali migrants were discovered adrift off the northwest coast of Madagascar near Nosy Iranja and Nosy Be, following engine failures during their perilous journey.

The vessels, which departed from Somalia on November 2, 2024, endured over 1,000 kilometers of open sea before being found by local fishermen.

Tragically, 28 Somali migrants lost their lives, including 22 during the journey and 6 who succumbed to exhaustion after being rescued. Among the deceased were five women, according to Madagascar’s maritime safety agency.

Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia, Abdullahi Wafa, confirmed the incident, with 48 survivors being transferred to Nosy Be for medical care.

The survivors revealed they were attempting to reach the French island of Mayotte, a common but dangerous route for Somali migrants seeking asylum.

Data from 2023 shows 121 Somalis applied for asylum in Mayotte, a threefold increase compared to 2022, with trends continuing upward in 2024.

This tragedy underscores the risks associated with clandestine migration, as many Somalis continue to flee instability caused by insurgencies and economic hardship. It also comes amidst broader challenges in migration management.

The Somali government, in collaboration with IOM and UNHCR, has repatriated hundreds of migrants from Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen, while European countries like Germany and Finland are repatriating Somali nationals and suspending cooperation due to stalled readmission agreements.

Efforts to combat trafficking networks and improve conditions for migrants remain critical to reducing the devastating toll of such journeys.