Woman Dies on Migrant Boat Journey to French Island

In Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, the family of Fathi Hussein, a beauty salon owner, is grieving profoundly after her tragic death at sea. This occurred when an arrangement she made with migrant smugglers to transport her to the French island of Mayotte failed. According to Samira, the 26-year-old’s stepsister, who spoke to the BBC by phone, survivors reported that Fathi succumbed to hunger. The family was informed by these individuals that Fathi passed away in one of two small boats, which had been left adrift in the Indian Ocean by smugglers for approximately 14 days. Samira recounted to the BBC, “People were eating raw fish and drinking sea water, which she refused. They [the survivors] said she started hallucinating before she died. And after that they threw her body into the ocean.” Fathi’s family received news of her demise from other Somalis who had been rescued by fishermen near the coast of Madagascar approximately a week prior. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over 70 individuals were aboard the two boats when they overturned, resulting in 24 fatalities and 48 survivors. It is estimated that hundreds of migrants perish annually attempting to reach the small French island, situated approximately 300km (186 miles) north-west of Madagascar. Fathi traveled by air from Mogadishu to Mombasa, a Kenyan coastal city, on November 1. Several days later, she embarked on a boat journey to Mayotte, a dangerous voyage spanning over 1,100 km across the Indian Ocean. Samira expressed the family’s bewilderment regarding Fathi’s choice, given her thriving business in Mogadishu and her residence in the middle-class area of Yaqshid. Fathi concealed her intentions from her family, confiding only in her younger sister, to whom she revealed she had used earnings from her beauty salon to pay the smugglers, according to Samira. Samira further stated, “She used to hate the ocean. I don’t know why and how she took that decision. I wish I could give her a hug.” Survivors informed Fathi’s family that, upon departing Mombasa, the beauty salon owner and all other travelers were aboard a single large vessel. However, during the voyage, the smugglers claimed the boat experienced mechanical issues and needed to return. Before heading back to Kenya, the smugglers transferred all the migrants to two smaller boats, promising them: “You will reach Mayotte in three hours.” Nevertheless, Samira noted that “it turned into 14 days,” resulting in the deaths of her sister and other individuals. Samira mentioned that some survivors believe the smugglers intentionally abandoned them at sea, having already received payment and lacking any intention of transporting them to Mayotte. Frantz Celestin, an IOM regional official, informed the BBC that migrants increasingly jeopardize their lives attempting to reach the French island. He stated, “Just recently 25 people perished doing the same journey, usually transiting through Comoros and Madagascar. Generally this year has been the deadliest year for migrants.” The BBC interviewed five Somali migrants who attempted to reach Mayotte. They described two main routes from Somalia to the island: some travel by boat from Mombasa, passing through the Comoros islands, which are nearer to Mayotte; others with greater financial means fly to Ethiopia and then to Madagascar, as Somali passport holders are eligible for a visa upon arrival. From Madagascar, they board a small boat to Mayotte, with the aspiration of obtaining a French passport and entry into Europe. Khadar Mohamed is among the fortunate few who have survived this dangerous journey. He arrived in Mayotte 11 months prior and vividly recalls the traumatic experience he endured to reach the island from Madagascar. He recounted, “When I came to Madagascar, I was taken to the boat-owner’s house. We stayed there for 14 days. We were a mix of Somali and Madagascans.” The number of individuals awaiting passage increased to 70. Subsequently, they were placed on a boat and transported via a river into the open ocean. Khadar stated he departed Somalia due to the danger presented by al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate engaged in efforts to overthrow the government. He explained, “I left my country for my safety. I was a business owner, and I couldn’t do my work because of al-Shabab.” Families of some victims reported that smugglers receive approximately $6,000 (£4,700) for the journey from Mombasa to Mayotte, with half of this sum paid in advance. The BBC observed accounts on the social media platform TikTok promoting comparable journeys to Mayotte and even onward to other European destinations. These advertisements assert that operators transport people to Mayotte using large tourist vessels, yet the families of victims contend that smugglers employ significantly smaller fishing boats known as “kwassa.” The French government has refrained from commenting on the recent unfortunate event. Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, indicated that his government is working to establish contact with the survivors and facilitate their repatriation. Fathi’s family stated they informed authorities about a suspected smuggler their daughter had contact with in Mogadishu; he was arrested but subsequently released on bail. Samira expressed that the anguish of not knowing her sister’s feelings in her last moments will remain with her perpetually. She added, “I wish she could talk to me and tell me about her decision. She could have said bye to me… now, I don’t know how to process her death.” Additional reporting was provided by Marina Daras. 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