A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Djibouti on Thursday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 139 migrants, including 15 children. The boat, carrying 305 people, capsized near the port town of Obock while traveling from Djibouti to Yemen. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that around 82 people were rescued, while dozens more remain missing.
The IOM's Djibouti mission chief, Alexandre Coissac, described the tragedy as a "stark reminder" of the dangers migrants face when seeking a new life elsewhere. He expressed his condolences to the survivors and the families who have lost loved ones or remain without news of their relatives. Local authorities are arranging burials for those who have died, while the survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, have medical care readily available to them.
The incident highlights the perilous journey that tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa undertake each year, hoping to reach Gulf countries for safety and work. Despite the devastating civil war in Yemen, which has lasted over a decade, migrants continue to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, driven by poverty, insecurity, and the growing impacts of climate change.
Since September 10, the IOM has observed over 20,000 "movements" from Ethiopia to Djibouti. The organization is providing assistance to 64 survivors at its response center in Obock, including healthcare and support to restore contact with their families. The IOM is working closely with local authorities to help migrants and prevent deaths at sea and on land.
This tragedy is not an isolated incident. In 2025, over 900 migrants died or went missing taking the same route, despite an 18% increase in the number of people attempting the journey. In March 2026, nine people were killed, and 45 went missing in a similar incident. The conflict in Yemen has also displaced over 130,000 people across the country.
The UN refugee agency reported that thousands of Yemenis have fled to Djibouti to escape the civil war between Houthi fighters and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Djibouti, a tiny former French colony, sits across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. The IOM revised its toll from 109 on Sunday after 30 more bodies were recovered.
The incident has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with Coissac emphasizing the need for continued support and assistance to migrants. The IOM and local authorities are working together to provide aid and prevent future tragedies. The survivors, who have received medical care, are being supported by the IOM at its response center in Obock.
Key points
- At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat capsized off Djibouti's coast.
- The incident highlights the dangers migrants face when seeking a new life elsewhere.
- Over 20,000 "movements" from Ethiopia to Djibouti have been observed by the IOM since September 10.
