At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, have died after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen. Another 84 people remain missing, as search-and-rescue operations continue following one of the deadliest migrant boat disasters recorded along the Eastern Migration Route.
The boat was carrying 305 people when it capsized near Guhere, north of Obock, during the night of October 8-9, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations agency that works on migration issues. Around 82 people survived the disaster and are receiving assistance.
The vessel had departed from Djibouti and was attempting to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait towards Yemen. The route is frequently used by migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking employment and better living conditions in Gulf countries.
The IOM said the reported death toll rose from 109 to 139 after 30 additional bodies were recovered. However, the agency cautioned that the official figure includes victims whose bodies were buried by local authorities. Some others were reportedly buried by fellow migrants, suggesting that the actual number of deaths could be higher.
The disaster has once again exposed the dangers faced by migrants undertaking risky sea journeys in overcrowded and often unsuitable boats. Many leave their homes in search of work, safety and economic stability, despite the threat of drowning, exploitation and detention along the way.
Survivors, reported to be Ethiopian nationals, have been taken to the IOM’s Migrant Response Centre in Obock. They are receiving medical treatment, food, shelter and psychological support as humanitarian workers help them cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Local authorities and the IOM are coordinating rescue and recovery efforts. With dozens of people still unaccounted for, concerns remain that the death toll could rise further.
The tragedy has drawn renewed attention to the movement of migrants from Ethiopia and other parts of the Horn of Africa towards the Arabian Peninsula. Djibouti serves as a major transit point for people attempting to reach Yemen before travelling onwards to Gulf nations in search of jobs and improved living standards.
Poverty, unemployment, insecurity and environmental pressures are among the factors pushing people to undertake these journeys. Conflict and difficult living conditions in parts of Ethiopia have added to the challenges facing vulnerable communities, while drought and other climate-related pressures have further affected livelihoods.
The sea crossing is particularly dangerous. Migrants navigating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, risk capsizing in rough waters. Those who survive may also face trafficking networks, abuse, arbitrary detention and exploitation after reaching Yemen.
The continuing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen add another layer of danger for those hoping to travel onwards to wealthier Gulf countries. Reaching the other side of the sea does not guarantee safety or employment.
The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project recorded more than 900 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route in 2025. Another shipwreck in March 2026 reportedly left nine people dead and 45 missing, underlining the recurring nature of such disasters.
IOM Director General Amy Pope called for governments and international donors to expand safe and legal migration pathways. She warned against treating migrant deaths as an inevitable consequence of these journeys and urged stronger action to prevent further loss of life.
The agency has also called for greater support for search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian assistance in Djibouti, where the needs of migrants continue to place pressure on available resources.
As rescue teams continue searching for the missing, families are left waiting for news of their loved ones. For governments and humanitarian agencies, the tragedy is another urgent reminder that protecting vulnerable migrants must remain a priority.
