At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat carrying hundreds of people capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen. Another 116 people remain missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The vessel was carrying approximately 350 people when it overturned near Guhere, north of the port town of Obock, during the night of October 8-9. Survivors provided details of the incident to authorities.
More than 80 people survived the disaster, all of them Ethiopian nationals. The incident has prompted renewed concerns about the dangers migrants face while attempting the sea crossing in search of better economic opportunities.
Rescue Operations Continue After Deadly Shipwreck
The IOM said its teams were working alongside local authorities to provide emergency assistance to survivors. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations continued as concerns grew for those still missing.
The recovered bodies included 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, comprising nine girls and six boys. Authorities and humanitarian teams were assisting survivors following the tragedy.
Alexandre Coissac, the IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, described the incident as a devastating loss of life. He stressed that migrants faced serious dangers along the route as they attempted to reach destinations offering employment and improved living conditions.
Dangerous Migration Route Claims More Lives
Djibouti serves as a major transit point for migrants, particularly from Ethiopia and Somalia, travelling across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait towards Yemen and Gulf countries.
Despite the risks, many undertake the journey because of poverty, insecurity and the effects of climate change. However, the crossing remains dangerous, particularly given the ongoing instability and conflict in Yemen.
The IOM reported that more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the sea route to Yemen in 2025, as the number of people attempting the journey increased by 18 per cent.
The agency has called for stronger support for Djibouti’s response efforts, including search and rescue operations, to reduce further loss of life along the migration corridor.
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