At least 22 Somali migrants lost their lives after two boats capsized off the coast of Madagascar, an official confirmed on Saturday. The tragedy adds to a growing toll of migrant deaths in the Indian Ocean this year.

According to Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Abdullahi Warfa, the boats were carrying 70 passengers, all Somali nationals. He disclosed that the bodies were recovered on Saturday, while 48 survivors were rescued by local fishermen and taken for medical treatment.

“An investigation is underway, and we have identified the victims. Their names will be shared through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Warfa, who did not specify the exact date of the accident. The cause of the capsizing remains unknown.

This incident underscores a growing crisis in the region. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has documented a rise in migrant deaths in the Indian Ocean in 2024. Earlier this month, at least 24 migrants perished after traffickers deliberately capsized a boat near the Comoros Islands.

Other recent tragedies include the disappearance of a boat carrying 12 people, including two children and a pregnant woman, in September, and the deaths of eight people, including a 12-year-old boy, in August.

The perilous journey across the Indian Ocean is often undertaken by migrants seeking to reach Mayotte, a French department and disputed island in the Comoros archipelago. Thousands of lives have been lost on this dangerous migration route.

Authorities continue to investigate the latest incident as the international community calls for greater efforts to address the root causes of these deadly crossings. (ILKHA)