Fifty five people have drowned or remain missing after an over crowded boat capsized off Somalia.
The boat, which was carrying 60 migrants to Yemen from Northern Somali town Bosaso, capsized just 15 minutes after leaving port on 18 December according to the UN’s refugee agency,UNHCR. The incident represents the worse loss of life in the region since February 2011, when 57 Somalis died attempting a similar voyage.
Spokesperson for UNHCR had explained some of the dangers faced during illegally operated voyages across the Gulf of Aden:” These people are often loaded on to small fishing boats or dhows at double their capacity, and people are often found in engine spaces or otter unsafe areas. ”
UNHCR has reported that 23 bodies were recovered, including those of 14 women, 8 men, and atleast 1 child. UNHCR has further reported that the dead were all Somalis. Normally in these situation they expect atleast 80% Ethiopians or Eritreans. In this case, it was Somalis trying to reach Oman via Yemen to pick frankincense, which we haven’t seen before.
Such incidents are likely to continue UNHCR reported despite Somalia recovering political climate and improved education. The sinking marked the end of a record year for migrant and refugee crossings of the Gulf of Aden, according to UNHCR research suggesting 107,500 people made the journey in 2012.
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