109 dead after ship sinks off coast of Djibouti, UN agency says

At least 109 migrants perished when a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti on Friday morning, according to a statement from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Among the dead were 15 children, and 116 others went missing. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) chief of mission in Djibouti, Alexandre Coissac, expressed deep concern for the survivors and families who lost loved ones.

IOM teams were assisting Djiboutian authorities with emergency aid. Among the 109 bodies recovered, 52 were men, 42 were women, and 15 were children - nine girls and six boys. Over 80 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, managed to escape the tragedy. The IOM explained that poverty, insecurity, and climate change impacts compel many to undertake the perilous journey despite the instability in the Middle East.

Yemen is currently embroiled in fighting between Saudi-backed forces and Houthi rebels, further exacerbating the risks. The IOM is aiding 64 survivors at a migrant center in Obock. Djiboutian authorities are conducting ongoing search and rescue operations, growing anxious about the missing. Since September 10, the IOM recorded more than 20,000 crossings from Ethiopia to Djibouti.

In 2025, over 900 migrants died or went missing along the sea route to Yemen, with a 18% increase in attempts. A shipwreck in March left nine dead and 45 missing. The IOM urged donors and partners to bolster support for Djibouti's response, emphasizing the need for search and rescue operations and life-saving assistance.