At least 22 Ethiopian migrants have died and 65 others were injured after a lorry they were travelling in overturned in the town of Semera in Ethiopia’s north-eastern Afar region. A senior regional official, Mohammed Ali Biedo, said the accident occurred on Tuesday morning while the 85 migrants were travelling along the eastern migration route.
Authorities said 30 of the injured are in critical condition. The lorry reportedly overturned after being guided by illegal brokers, with many of the migrants unaware of the dangers of the journey. The Afar regional government described the incident as “horrific” and said life-saving operations were underway.
The official cautioned Ethiopians, particularly young people, against the risks of human trafficking and false promises, saying law enforcement would continue to prevent similar tragedies. The International Organisation for Migration has described the route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen as one of the busiest and most dangerous mixed migration corridors.
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Despite the risks, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, with many aiming to reach Saudi Arabia in search of work. The Afar authorities emphasised the need for public awareness about the hazards of such journeys and the importance of safe migration practices.
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