A tragic event occurred on Tuesday morning in Ethiopia's Afar region, claiming the lives of at least 22 Ethiopian migrants when the lorry they were traveling in overturned. According to senior official Mohammed Ali Biedo, approximately 85 migrants were on board the vehicle when the accident happened in the town of Semera.
The exact destination of these migrants remains unknown, but the route they were taking is typically associated with journeys from Ethiopia through Djibouti and across the Red Sea to Yemen, often leading to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Yemen serves as a significant transit point for many migrants seeking work in the region.
Authorities report that among the injured, 30 individuals are in critical condition. Biedo stated that the mishap took place due to the lorry being misled by illegal brokers, with migrants unaware of the potential dangers they faced.
The Afar regional government is actively involved in providing necessary aid and has urged Ethiopian youths to be cautious of the risks of human trafficking, particularly those lured by false promises. They affirmed that measures would be implemented to prevent such deadly incidents in the future.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has characterized the migration route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen as one of the busiest yet most perilous. Despite the inherent dangers, over 60,000 migrants reportedly reached Yemen in 2024 alone, with many aiming for Saudi Arabia.
