Migrant Boat Sinks off Djibouti, Leaving 139 Dead and 84 Missing
The eastern migration route connects the Horn of Africa to Yemen via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
DJIBOUTI – At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, have died after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti in East Africa. Another 84 people remain missing following the tragedy, which occurred overnight between October 8 and 9, 2026, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In an updated statement released on Sunday, October 11, the UN migration agency said the vessel was carrying 305 people from Djibouti toward Yemen when it overturned near Guhere, north of the port town of Obock.
A total of 82 people survived. All identified survivors were Ethiopian nationals, while local authorities continued searching for those still missing.
The initial death toll stood at 109 before rising to 139 as rescue teams recovered additional bodies.
IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti Alexandre Coissac said overcrowding was believed to have been the main cause of the disaster. Survivor accounts indicated that the boat began taking on water and sank shortly after passengers boarded.
IOM personnel and local authorities have been providing emergency assistance, including medical treatment and psychological support. Survivors have been taken to a migrant assistance centre in Obock.
Identifying the victims remains a major challenge. Some bodies were reportedly buried without identification, raising concerns that the confirmed death toll could increase as verification continues.
The crossing from Djibouti to Yemen forms part of the Eastern Route, a major migration corridor connecting the Horn of Africa with the Arabian Peninsula.
Thousands of people attempt the journey each year, hoping to reach Gulf countries in search of employment and better economic opportunities.
However, crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait carries serious risks, including unsafe vessels, overcrowding and human smuggling.
According to IOM's Missing Migrants Project, more than 900 people died or went missing along the route in 2025 alone.
IOM Director General Amy Pope has urged governments and international donors to expand safe and legal migration pathways to prevent further loss of life.
The Djibouti disaster is among the deadliest migrant shipwrecks recorded along this dangerous crossing.
Editor :Farros
Source : International Organization for Migration (IOM), Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Al Jazeera, The Gua
