At least 139 migrants dead, including some children, after boat from Djibouti to Yemen capsizes, UN agency says

At least 139 migrants died and approximately 84 remain missing after a boat traveling from Djibouti to Yemen capsized near Guhere, north of the port town of Obock. The vessel was carrying between 305 and 350 people when it sank during the night of October 8-9, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Newsweek reports that 82 survivors, all of whom are Ethiopian nationals, were identified, while MyJoyOnline Ghana states around 80 people were rescued.

The IOM reported that 109 recovered bodies included 52 men, 42 women, and 15 children, consisting of nine girls and six boys. Alexandre Coissac, the IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, noted that the current death toll only includes those buried by authorities in Djibouti; others buried by migrants themselves will not be added to the official count until they can be verified. IOM workers have shared video showing personal items, such as shoes, on a beach near the shipwreck.

Djiboutian authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations for those still unaccounted for. The IOM is assisting 64 survivors at its Migrant Response Centre in Obock by providing food, healthcare, protection services, temporary shelter, and psychosocial assistance. The African Union issued a statement on October 11, 2026, mourning the deaths and calling for stronger regional and international cooperation to prevent such tragedies.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Newsweek, Live Mint, People Daily Kenya, MyJoyOnline Ghana — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.