Key facts
- At least 109 migrants died, including 15 children, and 116 are missing after a boat capsized off Djibouti.
- The boat was traveling from Djibouti to Yemen with approximately 350 people on board.
At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and over 116 are missing after a boat carrying approximately 350 people capsized while en route from Djibouti to Yemen. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 80 Ethiopian nationals survived the shipwreck, which occurred during the night of October 8-9 near Guhere, north of Obock, Djibouti.
The incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by migrants traveling from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, a route that has seen a significant increase in usage and fatalities.
At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and 116 are missing after a boat carrying approximately 350 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti. The vessel was traveling from Djibouti to Yemen when it sank near the port town of Obock on Thursday night, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Around 80 people were rescued, all of whom were Ethiopian nationals. The IOM's Djibouti mission chief, Alexandre Coissac, called the tragedy a "stark reminder" of the dangers migrants face while seeking a new life. Tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa undertake this perilous journey annually, seeking safety and work in Gulf countries, driven by poverty, insecurity, and climate change impacts.
The IOM stated that 52 men, 42 women, nine girls, and six boys were among the bodies recovered. Local authorities are arranging burials for the deceased, while survivors are receiving medical care. The IOM is providing assistance to 64 survivors at its response center in Obock, including healthcare and family reunification support. The organization noted an 18% increase in people attempting this journey, with over 900 migrants dying or going missing on the same route in 2025.
Pick the topics you care about. Get only what matters, on your cadence.