At least 109 migrants have perished and numerous others remain unaccounted for after a vessel sank off the coast of Djibouti, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Among the deceased are 15 children, with the total casualty count comprising 52 men, 42 women, nine girls, and six boys.
The boat, which was transporting 350 individuals from Djibouti toward Yemen, capsized near the port town of Obock on Thursday night. Rescue operations retrieved approximately 80 survivors from the waters. The IOM confirmed that all survivors are Ethiopian nationals and are currently receiving medical attention and support at a response center in Obock.
Alexandre Coissac, the head of the IOM mission in Djibouti, described the incident as a “devastating loss of life” and a “stark reminder” of the lethal risks migrants encounter while seeking safety and economic opportunities abroad. He expressed solidarity with the survivors and families awaiting news of their loved ones.
The tragedy underscores the enduring perils of the route across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Despite the protracted civil war in Yemen, which has raged for over a decade, and rising instability throughout the region, thousands continue to undertake the journey annually. Drivers for this migration include severe poverty, insecurity, and the escalating effects of climate change in the Horn of Africa.
Data from the IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix indicates a significant surge in movement, recording more than 20,000 displacements from Ethiopia to Djibouti since September 10. The agency reported an 18% increase in people attempting this crossing in 2025, during which over 900 migrants died or went missing on the same route. A similar disaster in March 2026 resulted in nine deaths and 45 missing persons.
The IOM stated it is collaborating closely with local authorities to assist migrants and prevent further fatalities at sea and on land.
I’ve heard reports of overcrowded vessels becoming common lately. Are rescue resources actually increasing to match the surge in crossings?
Another boat sank, another headline forgotten in days. When does the international community treat migrant deaths as emergencies rather than statistics?
Fifteen children died on this crossing. The world must see these numbers and act before more families are shattered.