Children among 109 dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti, UN says

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, perished and dozens more remain missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel, carrying 350 people, was en route from Djibouti to Yemen when it overturned near the port town of Obock on Thursday night.

Rescue efforts have saved around 80 individuals. Alexandre Coissac, the IOM mission chief in Djibouti, described the tragedy as a "stark reminder of the dangers migrants face while seeking a better life." The organization reported that among the deceased were 52 men, 42 women, nine girls, and six boys. Coissac expressed deep sorrow, stating that the loss of life is devastating and that his thoughts are with the survivors and families of those who have lost loved ones or remain unaccounted for.

Local authorities are organizing burials for the deceased, while survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, are receiving medical care. Yemen continues to be engulfed in a decade-long civil war, contributing to the ongoing instability in the region. Despite this, migrants continue to risk their lives crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to reach Yemen, driven by poverty, insecurity, and the effects of climate change.

Since September 10, the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix has documented over 20,000 movements from Ethiopia to Djibouti. The organization is providing assistance to 64 survivors at its response center in Obock, offering healthcare and support to reconnect with their families. IOM is collaborating closely with local authorities to prevent further deaths at sea and on land.

According to IOM data, over 900 migrants have died or gone missing on the same route in 2025, marking an 18% increase in the number of individuals attempting the perilous journey. In March 2026, a similar incident resulted in nine deaths and 45 disappearances.