At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen, according to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM). Another 116 people remain missing, while more than 80 survivors have been rescued.
The tragedy occurred overnight on October 8–9 near Guhere, north of the port town of Obock, as the vessel attempted to cross the sea from Djibouti towards Yemen.
109 Bodies Recovered, Including 15 Children
According to the IOM, the recovered victims include 52 men, 42 women and 15 children. The children comprised nine girls and six boys.
Survivors said the boat was carrying hundreds of people when it capsized. Initial reports indicated that the vessel had approximately 350 people on board, although figures reported by different sources have varied.
More than 80 people survived the disaster, all of them Ethiopian nationals. Djiboutian authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations as fears grow for those still missing.
Emergency Assistance for Survivors
The IOM is working alongside local authorities to provide emergency assistance to survivors. The organisation has been supporting people at its Migrant Response Centre in Obock, including access to healthcare and other essential services.
Alexandre Coissac, the IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, expressed condolences to the families of those who died and those still awaiting news of their relatives.
The agency stressed that the disaster highlights the urgent need to address the dangers faced by migrants travelling along this maritime corridor.
Dangerous Migration Route to Yemen
The waters between Djibouti and Yemen form part of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically important passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Despite the risks, the route remains a major transit corridor for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking employment, safety and better economic opportunities in Gulf countries.
Poverty, insecurity and the effects of climate change continue to push people to undertake dangerous journeys, often aboard overcrowded boats.
According to the IOM, more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the sea route to Yemen in 2025. The latest disaster has renewed concerns over migrant safety and the need for stronger search-and-rescue operations.
Calls for Stronger Migrant Protection
The continuing search for missing passengers underscores the humanitarian challenges facing Djibouti and neighbouring countries. The IOM has called for increased support for rescue operations and life-saving assistance.
As authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the disaster, families remain anxious for news of those who have disappeared. The tragedy is another stark reminder of the risks faced by vulnerable migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings in search of a better future.
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM), with reports from international news agencies.
