At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat carrying around 350 people capsized while travelling from Djibouti to Yemen. More than 116 people remain missing, while over 80 others survived the disaster, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The boat overturned during the night of October 8 and 9 near Guhere, north of Obock, a port town in Djibouti. The UN migration agency shared the details on Sunday, citing accounts provided by survivors.
According to the IOM, all the survivors identified so far are Ethiopian nationals. Rescue and recovery efforts are expected to be crucial in determining the full impact of the disaster, as more than 100 people remain unaccounted for. The boat was carrying approximately 350 migrants when it capsized. The exact circumstances that led to the accident were not immediately known.
A spokesperson for the Ethiopian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the sea from the Horn of Africa towards Yemen. Many people undertake the journey in search of better economic opportunities or to escape difficult conditions in their home countries.
The route across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is known for its risks, particularly when migrants travel in overcrowded boats operated by smugglers. Shipwrecks along these routes have repeatedly resulted in deaths and disappearances. The latest tragedy has once again drawn attention to the dangers faced by migrants making the journey from Djibouti to Yemen.
