Boat capsizing off Djibouti kills 139, dozens still missing

The death toll from the boat that capsized off Djibouti on the night of Oct 8‑9 has risen to 139, with 30 additional bodies recovered, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday. The overloaded vessel was travelling north of the coastal town of Obock from Djibouti to Yemen and was carrying about 350 people. Survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, said the boat flipped in the early hours, leaving more than 80 people alive but 84 still missing. IOM teams and Djiboutian authorities rushed to the scene to provide emergency aid. Among the 109 bodies initially recovered were 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, including nine girls and six boys. Alexandre Coissac, IOM chief of mission in Djibouti, called the loss "devastating" and expressed sympathy for the survivors and families. He warned that the tragedy underscores the perilous conditions migrants face while trying to cross the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait to reach Yemen and onward to Gulf states. The IOM noted that poverty, insecurity and the growing impacts of climate change push many to undertake the hazardous journey despite instability across the Middle East.

What Happened

The boat left Djibouti bound for Yemen with roughly 350 passengers, capsized near Obock and left 139 dead, 84 missing and over 80 survivors.

Reaction

IOM chief Alexandre Coissac condemned the incident and coordinated relief with local authorities.

Context

Migrant crossings of the Bab el‑Mandeb are a long‑standing route for those seeking work in Gulf countries, often undertaken in unsafe, overcrowded vessels.