At least 109 people, including 15 children, died when a boat carrying more than 300 migrants capsized off the coast of Djibouti during the night, the International Organization for Migration has said. More than 100 people remain missing and around 80 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, have been brought ashore.
The vessel was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen when it capsized near the port town of Obock, apparently between Thursday night and before dawn on Friday. Search and rescue operations are continuing, and local authorities are arranging burials for the dead, the IOM said.
Among the bodies recovered were 52 men, 42 women, nine girls and six boys, the agency said.
“This is a devastating loss of life,” said Alexandre Coissac, IOM chief of mission in Djibouti, who described the disaster as “a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities”.
Survivors of the wreck have medical care available to them, while families of those still missing have been left without news, the IOM added.
Tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa make the perilous crossing each year, driven by poverty, insecurity and the growing impacts of climate change, according to the UN agency. The Bab el-Mandeb strait, which separates Djibouti from Yemen, is a popular but dangerous route for those hoping to reach Gulf countries.
The IOM said it had recorded more than 20,000 movements from Ethiopia to Djibouti since 10 September. Last year, more than half a million people attempted the route into Yemen, and at least 900 died or went missing, the agency said.
The disaster comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen between government forces and Houthi fighters, and wider regional instability, which has also driven thousands of Yemenis to flee into Djibouti.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Bab el-Mandeb corridor is one of the world's deadliest migration routes, and this disaster shows the human cost of a crossing that hundreds of thousands attempt each year.
- The tragedy unfolds against renewed conflict in Yemen and wider regional instability, which is pushing migrants and refugees in both directions across the strait.
- With more than 100 people still missing, the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
Background
The Horn of Africa to Yemen and the Gulf is a well-established but extremely dangerous migration corridor. Boats frequently exceed safe passenger limits, and capsizes are common. Migrants make the journey in search of employment and safety in Gulf countries, undeterred by Yemen's decade-long civil war. This year, the IOM has recorded a sharp increase in movements from Ethiopia into Djibouti, while renewed fighting in Yemen has also driven thousands of Yemenis to seek refuge in Djibouti, straining local resources.
Key Perspectives
IOM: The agency's teams are on the ground alongside local authorities providing emergency assistance. Mission chief Alexandre Coissac called the loss of life devastating and said the tragedy was a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face.
Migrants and their families: Survivors are all Ethiopian nationals, and many families remain without news of missing relatives. Migrants continue to take the route despite the risks, driven by poverty, insecurity and the search for economic opportunity.
Djibouti authorities: Search and rescue operations are ongoing, burials are being arranged for those who died, and medical care has been provided to survivors.
Critics and observers: Humanitarian organisations have long warned that the lack of safe, legal migration pathways in the region leaves people with no choice but to use unseaworthy boats. The recent escalation of fighting in Yemen and regional tensions may push more people toward the crossing rather than deter them.
What to Watch
- Whether the number of confirmed dead rises as Djiboutian search and rescue operations continue.
- IOM displacement tracking data for further movements from Ethiopia into Djibouti in the coming weeks.
- The effect of renewed fighting in Yemen on migration flows in both directions across the Bab el-Mandeb strait.