Children among 109 dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti – UN

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, lost their lives when a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The vessel, carrying 350 people, was en route from Djibouti to Yemen when it sank near the port town of Obock on Thursday night. Around 80 individuals were rescued from the wreckage.

Alexandre Coissac, the IOM's Djibouti mission chief, described the tragedy as "a stark reminder" of the risks migrants endure while pursuing a better life in other regions. The UN agency reported that among the deceased were 52 men, 42 women, nine girls, and six boys. Coissac expressed deep sorrow for the loss of life and extended his support to the survivors and their bereaved families.

Local authorities are coordinating burials for the deceased, while the survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, are receiving medical care at the Obock response center. The IOM is providing assistance, including healthcare and resources to reconnect with loved ones, to 64 of the survivors. Despite the ongoing civil war in Yemen and the broader regional instability, migrants continue to risk their lives crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to reach Yemen, driven by poverty, insecurity, and the impacts of climate change.

Since 10 September, the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix has recorded over 20,000 migrations from Ethiopia to Djibouti. The organization is working closely with local authorities to assist migrants and prevent further maritime fatalities. According to IOM data, more than 900 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting the same route in 2025, marking an 18% increase in attempts compared to previous years. In March 2026, a similar incident resulted in nine deaths and 45 missing persons.