Close Menu
Migrant Affairs
    Trending News

    EU Strengthens Europol Role to Fight Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking

    September 26, 2025

    EU Border Policies Under Scrutiny After Deadly Migrant Shipwreck

    March 1, 2024

    EU Records Highest-Ever Number of Asylum Applications in 2023

    February 28, 2024

    Doctors Without Borders Condemn European Union Migration Policies

    February 24, 2024

    UK gets EU intelligence on human trafficking

    February 23, 2024

    Council of Europe warns of violence against asylum aid groups

    February 23, 2024
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Migrant Affairs
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • About
    • News
    • Features
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    Migrant Affairs
    Home » Somali Migrant Who Lost Friends at Sea Plans to Try Again for Europe
    News

    Somali Migrant Who Lost Friends at Sea Plans to Try Again for Europe

    December 26, 2024Updated:December 26, 20244 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy Link WhatsApp
    Somali migrant journey to Europe
    Survivors of a boat tragedy that killed dozens of Somali migrants off the coast of Madagascar arrive at Aden Adee International Airport in Mogadishu , Somalia, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh, File).
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy Link WhatsApp

    Idil Abdullahi Goley’s journey to Europe began with a $6,500 payment to smugglers in Somalia. Her hopes of a better life ended in tragedy as she watched fellow migrants die at sea. The harrowing incident occurred last month off the coast of Madagascar, where 25 people lost their lives while attempting to reach Europe. Goley was one of 48 survivors rescued from the Indian Ocean, and her story sheds light on the dangerous routes that many African migrants take in their search for a better future.

    Goley, 28, spoke to The Associated Press about her journey, which began in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. Like many others, she decided to take the risk of traveling to Europe after facing extreme challenges in her home country, including attacks from extremist groups and the devastation caused by climate shocks. She raised the money for the smuggler’s fee through her small teashop business, with help from her brother and mother. Her goal was to reach Europe, repay her family, and create a better life for herself and her children.

    Her journey took her first to Nairobi, Kenya, and then to Mombasa, a port city where she and other migrants boarded small boats bound for Mayotte, a French island territory in the Indian Ocean. The island is one of the poorest regions in the European Union, but it is a popular destination for migrants hoping to claim asylum. After three days at sea, the group’s journey turned into a nightmare. The boats’ engines began to fail, and the smugglers left them stranded without food or water. The migrants were forced to catch fish and collect rainwater in an attempt to survive.

    As the days passed, the situation grew worse. Goley described the heartbreaking moments when she watched an infant die right in front of her, despite her attempts to save the child. “We couldn’t hold onto her body for long and had to throw it into the sea to prevent it from decomposing,” she said. As the group faced hunger, thirst, and unbearable heat, two of Goley’s friends also died. One of them screamed for help before passing away, reciting the Muslim profession of faith, the Shahada, as she died. Goley said the image of her friend’s suffering would haunt her forever.

    After 13 days of struggling to survive, a fishing boat appeared on the horizon. The survivors managed to flag it down and offered the fishermen $100 for their rescue. They were taken to a sports facility in Nosy Be, a northern region of Madagascar, where they were later repatriated to Somalia. Goley’s family had feared the worst. Her mother, unable to eat and deeply worried, had lost 44 pounds during the weeks of uncertainty. When Goley finally returned home, her mother could hardly believe it until she heard her daughter’s voice and saw her in person.

    Despite the trauma of her ordeal, Goley is determined to try again. She told The Associated Press that the hardships in Somalia have not changed, and she believes that even if the journey leads her to prison, she would still find a better life than the one she has now. “I would still find a better life than the one I have here,” she said. Her mother, however, fears that Goley may not return if she tries again.

    Other survivors of the journey are also struggling with the emotional aftermath of the tragedy. Ahmed Hussein Mahadalle, 26, witnessed the death of his sister, Hanan, 21, during the journey. He described the pain of losing her as indescribable. His other sister, Haboon Hussein Mahadalle, expressed gratitude for her brother’s safe return but also acknowledged his plans to try again. “Hanan was courageous and vigilant. She met her fate with grace,” Haboon said, tearfully. “They say good people don’t stay long, and my sister embodied all the qualities I can’t begin to summarize.

     

     

    African migrants to Europe dangerous migrant routes Idil Abdullahi Goley Mayotte migration migrant deaths at sea Somali migrant journey Somali migration crisis
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy Link WhatsApp

    Related Posts

    Tasos Kolokotronis migration story from Thessaly to Melbourne captures Greek journey to Australia

    September 30, 2025

    Researchers decode smugglers’ secret emoticon language used to traffic migrants

    September 30, 2025

    Chinese made mega dinghies drive surge in Channel migrant crossings

    September 30, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Top Posts

    Germany’s National Election 2025: Political Party Ideologies on Migration and Migrants

    The Impact of Social Media on Migrant Advocacy and Awareness

    Organizations Supporting Migrants and Refugees Worldwide

    Nigerian Couple Order to Repay German Government!

    Don't Miss

    EU Strengthens Europol Role to Fight Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking

    September 26, 20252 Mins ReadBy RACHAEL ADEEGBE

    The European Council and European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to strengthen Europol’s powers…

    Read More

    Elon Musk Responds to Migrants in Germany Over Sharia Law Remarks

    September 7, 2025

    Germans Reflect on Merkel’s 2015 Migrant Decision Ten Years On

    September 3, 2025

    German Town of Altena Welcomed Migrants with Hope, But Challenges Remain

    September 1, 2025

    Germany at a Crossroads: How a Decade of Migration Brought Hope and Division

    August 29, 2025

    Torture Suspect Arrested in Germany for Migrant Killing in Libya

    August 4, 2025
    RSS News Around
    • Government shutdown begins as nation faces new period of uncertainty
    • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Continues To Insist His Jimmy Kimmel Comments Were Not A Threat, Even Though Ted Cruz And Other GOPers Took It As One
    • FAA plans to furlough 11,000 employees in US government shutdown
    • US judge disqualifies Nevada prosecutor from four cases in blow to Trump
    • Taiwan will not agree to 50-50 chip production deal with US, negotiator says
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • WhatsApp
    RSS More News
    • Berlin honors 'Chancellor of Reunification' Helmut Kohl
    • Germany news: Lufthansa pilots back strike action
    • World Animal Day: Does Germany champion animal protection?
    • German infrastructure hit by drones, cybercrime, arson
    • Oktoberfest overcrowding sparks safety concerns
    About Us

    A news and information site documenting and sharing relevant and helpful stories and resources for and about Migrants.

    Email Us: info@migrantaffairs.info

    Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp
    Top Stories

    Police reject claims linking Banbury gang rape to migrant housing

    September 30, 2025

    Singapore population reaches 6.11 million as non residents drive growth

    September 30, 2025

    Britain plans stricter rules for migrants applying for permanent residency

    September 29, 2025
    RSS Business News
    • Nvidia chips in millions for AI factory in Armenia
    • Trump tariffs: Who stands to lose most from new US pharma duties?
    • How Russia's mounting economic woes could force Putin's hand
    • Germany's bid to lead in autonomous driving faces roadblocks
    • How Donald Trump's H-1B visa fee could affect the US economy
    RSS Expat Jobs
    Migrant Affairs
    • Home
    • About
    • News
    • Features
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    © 2025 Migrant Affairs

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.