At least 22 Ethiopian migrants have lost their lives and dozens more were injured after a lorry carrying them overturned in Ethiopia’s north-eastern Afar region, local authorities have confirmed.
The crash occurred early Tuesday morning near the town of Semera, where about 85 migrants were travelling along the eastern migration route, according to a senior Afar regional official, Mohammed Ali Biedo.
He said at least 65 people were injured in the accident, with around 30 in critical condition receiving emergency medical care.
Preliminary reports indicate the migrants were being transported by illegal brokers and were unaware of the dangers associated with the journey. The vehicle reportedly lost control and overturned, resulting in what officials described as a “horrific” incident.
While the migrants’ final destination was not officially confirmed, the route they were travelling typically passes through Djibouti, across the Red Sea to Yemen, and onward to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries in search of work.
Yemen remains a key transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa despite ongoing conflict and extreme risks along the route.
The Afar regional government said it was carrying out all necessary life-saving operations for the injured and warned Ethiopians—especially young people—about the dangers of human trafficking fueled by false promises from smugglers.
Authorities also pledged to strengthen law enforcement efforts in collaboration with federal agencies to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the migration route from the Horn of Africa—which includes Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea—to Yemen is among the busiest and most dangerous in the world.
Despite the risks, more than 60,000 migrants reportedly arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, many hoping to reach Saudi Arabia in search of better economic opportunities.