Woman dies at sea in tragic smuggling journey to Mayotte
The family of 26-year-old Fathi Hussein, a vibrant beauty salon owner, is in deep mourning following her tragic death while attempting to migrate to Europe. Fathi’s journey, which began with dreams of a better life, ended in the Indian Ocean after she succumbed to hunger and exhaustion aboard a smuggler’s boat.
Her family in Mogadishu was devastated when they learned of her fate through survivors of the journey. According to her stepsister, Samira, Fathi died after spending 14 harrowing days stranded at sea. Survivors recounted that the passengers, abandoned by the smugglers, resorted to eating raw fish and drinking seawater in a desperate bid to stay alive. Fathi, unable to adapt to the dire conditions, eventually started hallucinating before succumbing to hunger. Her body was reportedly thrown into the ocean by fellow passengers.
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“We were told by survivors that she died from hunger,” Samira shared. “She refused to eat raw fish or drink seawater. She started hallucinating before she died, and after that, they threw her body into the ocean.”
Fathi left Mogadishu on 1 November, flying to Mombasa, Kenya. Days later, she embarked on the treacherous journey to Mayotte, a French island located over 1,100km away in the Indian Ocean. Initially, the smugglers placed the migrants on a large boat, which they later claimed had mechanical issues. The passengers were then moved onto two smaller, overcrowded vessels with promises of reaching Mayotte within three hours. Instead, the group was stranded for nearly two weeks without adequate food or water.
The International Migration Organization (IMO) confirmed that over 70 migrants were aboard the boats. Tragically, 24 died, including Fathi, while 48 were rescued by fishermen near Madagascar.
Fathi’s decision to undertake such a dangerous journey has left her family baffled. As the owner of a thriving beauty salon in Mogadishu’s middle-class Yaqshid neighbourhood, she appeared to have a stable life. According to Samira, Fathi kept her plans secret, confiding only in a younger sister.
“She used to hate the ocean. I don’t know why and how she took that decision,” Samira said tearfully. “I wish I could give her a hug. She could have said goodbye to us.”
Fathi’s story is not unique. Hundreds of migrants die each year attempting to reach Mayotte, drawn by the promise of a French passport and eventual access to Europe. IMO official Frantz Celestin highlighted the increasing dangers of these journeys, stating, “This year has been the deadliest year for migrants. Just recently, 25 people perished on the same route.”
Social media platforms like TikTok have been criticised for enabling smugglers to advertise such perilous journeys, often using deceptive claims about safety and comfort. Victims’ families report that smugglers typically charge $6,000 for the journey, with half paid upfront. Survivors believe smugglers intentionally abandon migrants after receiving payment.
Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has promised to assist the survivors and work with local authorities to investigate smuggling networks. However, accountability remains elusive. Fathi’s family reported a suspected smuggler in Mogadishu, but he was released on bail shortly after his arrest.
For Samira, the pain of losing her sister is compounded by unanswered questions. “I wish she could talk to me and tell me why she made this decision. Now, I don’t know how to process her death,” she said.
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