Lorry Accident Claims 22 Lives in Ethiopia's Afar Region
On Tuesday morning, a lorry carrying approximately 85 Ethiopian migrants overturned in Semera, a town within Ethiopia's north-eastern Afar region. The incident resulted in the deaths of 22 migrants and left 65 others injured. Of those injured, 30 are reported to be in critical condition.
Incident Details
Senior Afar official Mohammed Ali Biedo stated that the accident occurred while the lorry was transporting migrants. The migrants were traveling along the eastern migration route, which typically extends from Ethiopia through Djibouti, across the Red Sea to Yemen, and onward to destinations such as Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. Yemen functions as a significant transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking employment in Gulf states.
Response and Warnings
The Afar regional government has initiated medical operations for the injured migrants. The regional government also issued a warning to Ethiopians, particularly younger individuals, regarding the risks associated with human trafficking. It further indicated that law enforcement efforts would continue in collaboration with relevant authorities to address such incidents.
Migration Route Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) characterizes the journey from the Horn of Africa—encompassing Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea—to Yemen as a highly active and dangerous mixed migration route. Despite identified risks, IOM data indicates that over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, with many ultimately intending to reach Saudi Arabia.