16 Nigerians Die in Ethiopia Transit, FG Issues Alert

16 Nigerians die in Ethiopia while transiting through Addis Ababa this year, the Federal Government has said in a new travel advisory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in the Ethiopian capital recorded the 16 deaths. The deaths were reportedly linked to health complications associated with the city’s high-altitude environment.  

The advisory was issued on Friday, November 13, and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi.  

16 Nigerians Die in Ethiopia: Why Altitude Matters

Addis Ababa sits about 2,355 metres (7,726 feet) above sea level. The ministry said lower atmospheric pressure there results in reduced oxygen levels.  

Most healthy people can adapt to the reduced oxygen, the ministry said. Travellers with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses may face increased health risks.  

What Travellers Are Told To Do

The government urged Nigerians whose medical conditions could be worsened by high-altitude environments to seek medical advice before travelling through Addis Ababa.  

The advice applies particularly to those booking flights involving stopovers in the city. The government said travellers with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions should seek medical advice before booking such flights.  

The ministry stressed that the advisory is not meant to discourage Nigerians from travelling to or transiting through Addis Ababa. It said the aim is to ensure medically vulnerable travellers are informed and take necessary precautions.  

The advisory does not describe a plane crash or deaths on board a flight. It describes deaths recorded among Nigerians transiting through the city.

The ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health, safety and welfare of Nigerians abroad.