A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Djibouti, where a boat carrying 350 people capsized near the port town of Obock. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that at least 109 migrants, including 15 children, lost their lives in the disaster. The boat was traveling from Djibouti to Yemen when the incident occurred on Thursday night.
According to the IOM, 80 people were rescued, while the bodies of 52 men, 42 women, nine girls, and six boys were recovered. The organisation's Djibouti mission chief, Alexandre Coissac, described the tragedy as a "stark reminder" of the dangers migrants face while seeking a new life elsewhere. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of migrants attempting to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen.
The perilous journey is undertaken by tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa each year, driven by poverty, insecurity, and climate change. Despite the devastating civil war in Yemen, which has lasted over a decade, migrants continue to make the journey in search of safety and work in Gulf countries. The IOM has observed over 20,000 "movements" from Ethiopia to Djibouti since September 10.
The survivors of the boat tragedy, all Ethiopian nationals, are receiving medical care. Local authorities are arranging burials for those who have died. The IOM is providing assistance to 64 survivors at its response centre in Obock, including healthcare and support to restore contact with their families. The organisation is working closely with local authorities to help migrants and prevent deaths at sea and on land.
This incident is not an isolated case, as over 900 migrants died or went missing on the same route in 2025. There was an 18% increase in the number of people attempting the journey last year. In March 2026, nine people were killed, and 45 were missing after a similar incident. The IOM is working to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The UN agency is providing critical support to migrants, including assistance with healthcare and family reunification. The organisation is also working to raise awareness about the dangers of the journey and the importance of seeking safe and legal migration routes. The incident has highlighted the need for increased efforts to protect migrants and prevent such tragedies from occurring.
The Ghanaian community and the international community at large have been saddened by this news, and many are calling for increased efforts to protect migrants and prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Key points
- At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died in the boat tragedy off Djibouti.
- The incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen.
- The IOM is providing assistance to survivors and working with local authorities to prevent deaths at sea and on land.
