A migrant boat sank off the coast of Djibouti with the UN reporting over 200 people dead or missing
The UN migration agency has reported that at least 109 people were killed and 116 remain missing after a migrant boat sank overnight on its way to Yemen. At least 80 Ethiopians survived the incident but 15 children died.
A migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti overnight, resulting in at least 109 deaths and 80 survivors, with 116 people still unaccounted for, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel, believed to have carried 350 individuals, sank near Obock, on its way to Yemen. IOM Chief of Mission Alexandre Coissac expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, emphasizing the perilous nature of the journey undertaken by migrants seeking economic opportunities in Yemen and Gulf countries.
Poverty, insecurity, and the adverse effects of climate change are driving factors for these dangerous voyages. Djiboutian authorities are actively conducting search and rescue operations, as fears intensify for the missing individuals. The IOM has observed over 20,000 crossings from Djibouti to Yemen in the past month alone, with more than 900 migrants losing their lives during this journey in 2025.
Most of those attempting the crossing are from Ethiopia and Somalia. The 80 survivors from Saturday's incident were all Ethiopian nationals. The IOM has called upon donors and partners to bolster their support for Djibouti's response, including search and rescue efforts and life-saving assistance. Of the bodies recovered so far, 52 were men, 42 were women, and 15 were children.
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