Djibouti boat disaster kills at least 139 migrants, 84 missing
An overcrowded vessel carrying 305 people capsized near Obock; 80 Ethiopian survivors rescued.
KEY POINTS
- Boat carrying 305 migrants capsized near Guhere, Djibouti, on Oct 8-9 night
- At least 139 dead including 15 children; 84 missing; 80+ Ethiopian survivors rescued
- IOM says overcrowding caused sinking; official toll excludes bodies buried by migrants
- Survivors receiving aid at Obock Migrant Response Centre; search operations ongoing
- Route remains active despite Yemen conflict; displacement in Yemen surged to 200,000
A boat carrying 305 migrants capsized in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Guhere, north of Obock, on the night of October 8-9 while sailing from Djibouti to Yemen. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed at least 139 deaths, including 15 children, with 84 people still missing.
IOM Djibouti Chief of Mission Alexandre Coissac said the vessel sank shortly after departure mainly because it was overcrowded. The official death toll covers only bodies buried by authorities; additional victims buried by migrants themselves are not yet counted.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities.”
More than 80 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, were rescued and received shelter, food, medical care, and psychosocial support at the Obock Migrant Response Centre. Search and rescue operations continue alongside local authorities.
Migrants use this route to reach Yemen en route to Gulf states despite the escalating conflict between Saudi-backed government forces and Iran-backed Houthis. IOM data shows displacement in Yemen surged to 200,000 from 76,000 in mid-September.
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