Djibouti Boat Disaster Kills at Least 139

At least 139 people, including 15 children, have died after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Survivors and Missing Passengers

The boat capsized on Thursday night near the port town of Obock, leaving 82 people alive and another 84 missing, the IOM reported. All 82 survivors were Ethiopian nationals. Safiya Ibrahim, a humanitarian response coordinator for the UN agency, said the provisional death toll was particularly devastating because women, men and children were among those on board.

Survivors Describe Disaster

Alexandre Coissac, the IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, said survivors reported that the boat began sinking backwards shortly after they boarded. Personal belongings believed to have belonged to passengers were found scattered along a nearby beach as search and rescue operations continued. Coissac expressed sympathy for survivors and families who had lost relatives or were still waiting for news of missing loved ones.

Aid Provided to Survivors

The IOM said it was providing medical care and other assistance to survivors, including help contacting their families. Coissac described the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face when attempting to reach other countries in search of safety and better opportunities. One survivor reportedly told the agency they had travelled from Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, where renewed fighting between rebels and federal forces has raised concerns about security.

Dangerous Migration Route to Yemen

Despite Yemen’s prolonged civil war and instability across the wider region, migrants continue crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the Horn of Africa. The IOM says tens of thousands undertake the dangerous journey each year, hoping to reach Gulf countries for employment and safety. The latest disaster highlights the severe risks faced by people travelling in overcrowded or unsafe boats.