International
oi-Ashish Rana
At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died after a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen. Around 116 people remain missing, while more than 80 survived the accident, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday.
A boat carrying migrants capsized off Djibouti near Obock on October 8-9, killing at least 109 people, including 15 children, with over 80 Ethiopians surviving and 116 still missing, according to the IOM.
The boat sank near Guhere, north of Obock, during the night of October 8-9. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the dangers faced by migrants attempting the sea journey from the Horn of Africa to Yemen.
109 Bodies Recovered After Boat Capsizes
According to the IOM, the 109 bodies recovered included 52 men, 42 women and 15 children. The children comprised nine girls and six boys. All the survivors were Ethiopian nationals.
Djiboutian authorities are continuing search and rescue operations as concerns grow over the fate of those still missing. Officials are also providing medical care to survivors and arranging dignified burials for those who died.
IOM Provides Medical Care And Shelter
The IOM is assisting 64 survivors at its Obock Migrant Response Centre. Support includes healthcare, psychological assistance, protection services, temporary shelter and food. The organisation is also helping survivors reconnect with their families.
“This is a devastating loss of life. Our thoughts are with the survivors and the families who have lost loved ones or remain without news of their relatives,” said Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti.
“Our teams are on the ground alongside local authorities to provide emergency assistance. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities,” he added.
Migrant Crossings From Ethiopia Increase
The IOM said it had detected more than 20,000 crossings from Ethiopia into Djibouti since September 10. The figures highlight the continued movement of migrants through the region in search of economic opportunities.
The sea route from Djibouti towards Yemen remains dangerous, with migrants exposed to the risk of shipwrecks and other hazards during the journey.
In 2025, more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the sea route to Yemen, according to the IOM. The number of people attempting the journey also increased by 18 per cent, underlining the continuing risks along this migration corridor.
