Djibouti boat wreck leaves 139 migrants dead, 84 missing
Despite the conflict in the Middle East, the migrants aimed to cross the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Yemen before travelling on to Gulf countries.
On October 8-9, a boat carrying 305 migrants sank off the coast of Djibouti, resulting in at least 139 deaths and 84 people missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel, primarily carrying Ethiopian nationals, capsized north of the town of Obock. Survivors recounted that the boat began sinking as soon as they boarded.
IOM chief of mission in Djibouti, Alexandre Coissac, expressed shock at the loss of life, particularly the 15 children among the victims. IOM teams are working alongside Djiboutian authorities to provide aid to the survivors and families of the deceased. The IOM highlighted that poverty, insecurity, and climate change contribute to the dangerous journey to Yemen, with 178,000 people arriving in Djibouti from Ethiopia from January to October.
Coissac noted that many had been previously turned back from Yemen but attempted the crossing again. The IOM urges governments and donors to support Djibouti's response and address the root causes of irregular migration.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 5 other outlets
- Djibouti boat wreck leaves 139 migrants dead, 84 missing freemalaysiatoday.com
- At least 139 dead, 84 missing as migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti island.lk
- Children among 139 migrants dead as boat from Djibouti to Yemen capsizes dailytimes.com.pk
- Children among at least 139 dead after migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti coast cbc.ca
- At least 139 dead, 84 missing as migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti qatar-tribune.com
