Dar es Salaam, Tanzania  - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is deeply saddened to receive news of a tragic accident involving migrants in the Njombe region of the United Republic Tanzania. The incident is believed to have occurred on 14 September, as a truck carrying 29 migrants thought to be Ethiopian, was travelling to Tunduma on border with Zambia. Tragically, 7 migrants lost their lives in the accident, 9 sustained injuries, and 13 remain unaccounted for.

IOM expresses its sincere condolences to all those affected by this tragic accident.

IOM staff and Ethiopian Embassy staff in Tanzania are on the ground, working diligently to gather more details about the situation and to provide support where possible.

Such tragic incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the complex challenges that migrants face traversing the ‘Southern Route’ from the Horn of Africa to South Africa. IOM remains committed to working with partners, governments, and civil society to improve the protection, well-being and human rights of migrants in this region.

IOM also continues to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.

For further information and media inquiries, please contact:

Lucy Mseke, +255 685 701 480, lmseke@iom.int

Yvonne +254 797 735 977, yndege@iom.int