Djibouti boat wreck leaves 139 migrants dead, 84 missing: UN

On October 11, the United Nations reported that at least 139 migrants, including 15 children, lost their lives and 84 others remained missing after an overcrowded boat capsized near the Djibouti town of Obock. The vessel, carrying 305 people primarily from Ethiopia, sank on the night of October 8-9 while attempting to cross the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Yemen.

Survivors recounted the boat sinking backwards upon boarding, with IOM chief of mission Alexandre Coissac describing it as a "devastating loss of life." The IOM revised its initial toll of 109 dead and 116 missing to the current numbers after additional bodies were recovered. IOM teams are on the ground with Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency aid, emphasizing the dangers faced by migrants seeking economic opportunities.

The IOM stated that poverty, insecurity, and climate change are driving many to undertake this perilous journey, despite growing instability in the Middle East. Djiboutian authorities continue search and rescue operations, as fears grow for those still missing. The IOM urged governments and donors to strengthen support for the response, emphasizing the need for safe and legal pathways to save lives.