At Least 109 Migrants Die As Boat Capsizes Off Djibouti Coast

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and approximately 116 remain missing after a boat carrying about 350 people capsized off Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen. More than 80 people survived, all Ethiopian nationals. The disaster highlights the dangers of irregular migration and the growing humanitarian challenges along the route.

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat carrying hundreds of people capsized off the coast of Djibouti, while approximately 116 others remain missing. The incident occurred overnight between October 8 and 9 as the passengers travelled from Djibouti towards Yemen, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The tragedy highlights the continuing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the sea in search of better economic opportunities, despite the risks posed by overcrowded vessels, dangerous waters and limited access to rescue services.

HOW THE BOAT CAPSIZED

According to survivors, the vessel was carrying about 350 people when it capsized north of Obock, a coastal town in Djibouti. The exact circumstances that caused the boat to overturn have not yet been established.
The IOM said 109 bodies had been recovered, comprising 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, including nine girls and six boys. More than 80 people survived the incident, all of them Ethiopian nationals.
However, the fate of approximately 116 people remains unknown. Djiboutian authorities have continued search and rescue operations as fears grow that more victims may be found.

SURVIVORS RECEIVE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

The IOM confirmed that its teams were working alongside Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency support to survivors. The agency said it was assisting 64 survivors at a migrant centre in Obock.
Alexandre Coissac, the IOM chief of mission in Djibouti, described the incident as a devastating loss of life and expressed sympathy for families who had lost relatives or were still waiting for news.
Rescue operations remain critical because survivors may require medical treatment, food, shelter and psychological support. Families also face uncertainty while authorities search for those still missing.

WHY MIGRANTS RISK THE JOURNEY TO YEMEN

Many migrants from Ethiopia and Somalia attempt the dangerous sea crossing from the Horn of Africa to Yemen before seeking employment in Gulf countries.
Poverty, insecurity, unemployment and the growing effects of climate change are among the factors pushing people to leave their homes. For many, the journey represents an attempt to find work and support their families.
The route crosses the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway separating the Horn of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. Despite the risks, migrants continue to use the corridor, sometimes travelling in overcrowded boats operated by smugglers.
The journey can expose passengers to drowning, exploitation, abuse and abandonment at sea. Those who reach Yemen may also face further hardship because of instability and difficult conditions in the country.

DJIBOUTI FACES GROWING MIGRATION PRESSURE

Djibouti has become an important transit point for migrants travelling from Ethiopia and Somalia towards Yemen. The IOM said it had detected more than 20,000 crossings from Ethiopia into Djibouti since September 10.
However, not everyone who arrives in Djibouti manages to continue the journey. Some migrants become stranded while trying to raise money, arrange transport or find assistance.
The growing number of people moving through the country places additional pressure on humanitarian organisations and local authorities, particularly when large numbers require shelter, healthcare and protection.
The latest shipwreck has renewed calls for stronger search and rescue capacity and greater support for migrants who become vulnerable during their journeys.

A REPEATED PATTERN OF DEADLY SHIPWRECKS

The latest tragedy follows other deadly incidents along the same migration corridor. According to the IOM, more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the sea route to Yemen in 2025, while the number attempting the journey increased by 18 per cent.
Another shipwreck in March 2026 reportedly left nine people dead and 45 missing.
IOM spokesperson Kennedy Omondi Okoth said many migrants attempting the journey were from Ethiopia or Somalia, with some becoming stranded in Djibouti.
These repeated incidents demonstrate the continuing risks associated with irregular migration by sea. They also highlight the difficulties faced by authorities attempting to prevent dangerous crossings while responding to the needs of people seeking safety and economic opportunities.

CALL FOR GREATER HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT

The IOM has urged donors and international partners to strengthen support for Djibouti, particularly for search and rescue operations and emergency assistance.
Additional resources could help authorities respond more quickly to shipwrecks, improve access to medical care and provide protection for survivors and stranded migrants.
The immediate priority remains locating missing passengers, assisting survivors and supporting families searching for loved ones. The disaster also raises broader questions about how governments and humanitarian organisations can reduce the risks faced by people travelling along this dangerous migration route.
Without safer migration options and stronger protection measures, migrants fleeing hardship may continue to undertake perilous sea journeys in the hope of finding a better future.
Clarify the casualty figures
Remove repetition in the conclusion
Make the opening more direct