Two vessels carrying migrants from Africa sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Djibouti, killing 45 people, the U.N. migration agency said Tuesday.
The boats had departed from Yemen carrying 310 people, the International Organization for Migration said.
Thousands of migrants from African, Middle Eastern and South Asian countries seeking a better life in Europe attempt irregular migration every year. Smugglers pack vessels full of desperate people willing to risk their lives to reach continental Europe.
The U.N. agency, which was assisting search and rescue efforts, said on the social media platform X that 32 survivors were rescued.
Djibouti’s coast guard said the tragedy struck some 150 meters (about 500 feet) off a beach near the northwest Khor Angar region. It said a joint rescue effort was under way, which began early Monday. It said 115 survivors were rescued.
“We remain committed to finding the missing persons and ensuring the safety of the survivors,” the agency said in a statement posted on social media, with images of white body bags.
“We would like the support of not only the communities but also the donors to continue to support our migrant response plan,” said IOM Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa, Frantz Celestin.
“That would not only reduce the the likelihood of these migrants, these young women and men leaving, but also when they need us to be there for them, for us to provide that shelter, for us to provide the healthcare and some food and non-food items,” he added.