Djibouti Migrant Boat Sinking: Death Toll Rises to 139, 84 Still Missing
The death toll from a boat sinking off the coast of Djibouti has risen to 139 after 30 more bodies were recovered, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday, October 11. The overcrowded vessel was carrying about 350 people from Djibouti to Yemen when it capsized on the night of October 8-9, north of the town of Obock.
Some 84 people remain missing, while more than 80 survived the shipwreck, all of them Ethiopian nationals, according to the IOM. The agency said 109 bodies have been recovered so far, including 52 men, 42 women and 15 children — nine girls and six boys.
“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. He added that IOM teams were on the ground alongside Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency aid.
The IOM described the tragedy as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along the migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities by crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen and then attempting to reach Gulf countries.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Horn of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula, is a well-known route for migrants from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia seeking work in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The journey is fraught with peril, including human traffickers, dangerous waters, and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
According to the IOM, poverty, insecurity, and the growing impacts of climate change drive many to undertake this journey, despite mounting instability across the Middle East. The agency has repeatedly warned about the risks of irregular migration along this route.
Survivors told the IOM that the vessel was overcrowded, a common factor in such tragedies. The boat capsized shortly after departing from Djibouti. Djiboutian authorities and IOM teams have been searching for survivors and recovering bodies.
The IOM has been calling for greater regional cooperation to address the root causes of migration and to provide safe alternatives. The agency also stresses the need for enhanced search and rescue operations in the region.
The tragedy highlights the continuing humanitarian challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where many people feel compelled to risk their lives in search of a better future.
This is not the first such incident in the region. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait has seen numerous shipwrecks in recent years, with hundreds of migrants dying while attempting the crossing. The IOM's Missing Migrants Project has recorded thousands of deaths on this route alone. In 2023, a similar boat capsize off Djibouti killed at least 38 people.
The IOM has been providing assistance to survivors and coordinating with local authorities. The agency has also been working to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and to promote safe and legal pathways for migration.
The Djiboutian government has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and has vowed to continue search and rescue efforts. The IOM has urged the international community to support efforts to address the root causes of migration and to protect the rights of migrants.
As the search for missing persons continues, the full scale of the tragedy is still unfolding. The IOM has said it will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
