'Only 70 of 120 of us made it alive' - Ghanaian migrant recounts perilous journey

A Ghanaian woman living in Italy has recounted a harrowing experience aboard a boat while travelling from Libya to Italy, warning others against using irregular routes to Europe.

In a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb on August 24, 2026, the woman said she decided to share her experience as a caution to Ghanaians considering travelling to Europe through unapproved channels.

According to her, about 120 people were crammed onto the boat, but only 70 eventually made it to Europe.

“We were about 120 persons on the boat, but only 70 of us made it to Europe,” she narrated.

She also recounted the tragic experience of a woman travelling with her four children, two of whom reportedly died before they reached Europe.

The woman said the journey also took a toll on her health, resulting in her being hospitalised for two weeks after arriving in Italy.

She explained that the overcrowded conditions on the boat caused an injury to her neck.

“It affected my neck. A man was sitting behind me and his weight was on my neck because of how densely populated we were on the boat,” she said.

“When I arrived, it had affected my neck and my mobility, so, I had to be hospitalised,” she added.

Child dies in her arms

The woman further recounted an emotional moment during the journey when one of the four children belonging to a woman she had helped on the boat died in her arms.

She said the experience left a lasting impact on her and reinforced her decision to warn others about the dangers associated with irregular migration.

Her account highlights the risks migrants face when attempting dangerous sea crossings in search of better opportunities in Europe.

Watch the video below.

@toffiqomar This video is shared for news, awareness, and storytelling purposes. It highlights a difficult journey and aims to inform viewers about the challenges faced by migrants. #GhanaNews #NewsUpdate #GhanaianStories #CurrentEvents #TrueStory ♬ original sound - Toffiq Omar