Tragic Journey: Somali Woman Dies While Attempting to Reach Mayotte

Fathi Hussein, a beauty salon owner from Mogadishu, died during a perilous journey to Mayotte after being abandoned by smugglers. Her tragic story reflects the desperate circumstances many migrants face in their quest for a better life, often risking their lives on treacherous routes.

Fathi Hussein, a 26-year-old beauty salon owner, tragically lost her life while attempting to migrate from Somalia to Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean. Her family mourns her loss in Mogadishu, emphasizing the desperation faced by many who seek a new life under perilous circumstances. Reportedly, Fathi died from starvation after being stranded at sea for 14 days, alongside other migrants who had been misled by smugglers.

According to her stepsister, Samira, survivors recounted that those aboard had resorted to eating raw fish and drinking seawater, but Fathi refused to consume anything, ultimately leading to her hallucinations before she passed away. The grim situation unfolded after the smugglers abandoned the group, leaving them adrift in small boats far from their intended destination.

The International Migration Organization (IMO) reported that over 70 people were aboard the two boats, with 24 confirmed dead and 48 survivors rescued by fishermen. Tragically, this incident is part of a broader pattern where hundreds of migrants perish annually in their attempts to reach Mayotte, often attempting to find pathways to Europe.

Fathi's journey began on November 1, when she traveled from Mogadishu to Mombasa, Kenya, and then embarked on a boat journey toward Mayotte, which spans approximately 1,100 kilometers. Unbeknownst to her family, she had covertly paid the smugglers with profits from her successful beauty salon, raising questions about her motivations as she had previously expressed a dislike for the ocean.

Survivors surmised that the smugglers intentionally left them to fend for themselves after collecting their payment, with authorities noting an alarming increase in dangerous migration attempts to Mayotte this year.

After receiving reports of Fathi's demise from other survivors, her family is left grappling with the mystery of her decision to undertake such a risky journey. International bureaucracy weighs heavily as the family's attempts to report and navigate the legal ramifications surrounding the smuggling incident proceed.

Khadar Mohamed, a survivor of the journey to Mayotte, detailed similar traumatic experiences, stressing the need to escape the violence in Somalia perpetrated by groups like al-Shabab. With smugglers promising a bridge to European opportunities, the craving for safety and stability continues to lure individuals into perilous situations.

Reports highlight the penetrative reach of smuggling operations, as well as the promotional tactics used to attract vulnerable individuals seeking a better life. Many families remain hopeful yet distressed, as the risks migrants face are often overlooked amidst larger political discussions surrounding migration and safety.

The French government has refrained from commenting on this recent tragedy, while Somalia's foreign affairs officials continue to pursue means to support survivors and bring them back home. Samira recalls her sister with profound sorrow, wishing she had the chance to comprehend Fathi's last moments and explore the motivations behind her harrowing decision.