At Least 17 Somali Migrants Die On Mediterranean Route, Officials Say

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: At least 17 Somali migrants have died while attempting to reach Europe by sea along a route between Algeria and Spain, Somalia’s disaster management agency (SoDMA) said.

In a statement, SoDMA, said the victims included 12 young men and five women aged between 18 and 30.

“We have received information that up to 17 Somali youths have died,” the agency said, adding that efforts were under way to verify details and identify the victims.

It also urged families who may have missing relatives to contact the agency, saying authorities had obtained photographs and were seeking to confirm identities and establish the full number of casualties.

The agency also warned of the growing dangers of irregular migration, saying such incidents have become increasingly common as more young people attempt risky journeys to Europe.

The Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, with migrants often relying on smuggling networks to make the crossing in unsafe conditions.

Somalia, like many countries in the Horn of Africa, has seen continued outflows of young people driven by economic hardship, insecurity and climate-related challenges, despite repeated warnings from authorities about the risks involved.