Missing Somaliland fishermen rescued off Djibouti coast after 29 days adrift

[Deeq A.]

Three Somaliland fishermen missing at sea for nearly a month have been rescued off the coast of Djibouti, bringing relief to their families and communities after a harrowing 29-day ordeal.

The fishermen, who disappeared on December 6, 2024, departed Berbera aboard a small vessel that soon experienced mechanical failure, leaving them stranded and unable to navigate.

“Our engine broke down, and the battery failed,” survivor Khadar Ibrahim Abdillahi told BBC Somali. “For 29 days, we drifted wherever the wind carried us, completely helpless.”

Their rescue came when the Djibouti Coast Guard spotted their vessel adrift in open waters. The men were brought ashore, treated for exhaustion and dehydration, and given medical assistance. Rescuers also repaired their damaged boat.

“They saved our lives,” Khadar said, expressing gratitude for the Coast Guard’s swift intervention. “We’ve been treated with kindness and have been assured we will return to Somaliland soon.”

The fishermen’s disappearance had sparked concern in Somaliland’s coastal communities, where fishing is a cornerstone of the local economy.

Authorities in Somaliland and Djibouti are coordinating efforts to ensure the fishermen’s safe return

HOL.

Qaran News