oluwatosin oyeniyi OBOCK, Djibouti — At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, have died and another 84 remain missing after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen, according to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The vessel was carrying 305 people when it overturned near Guhere, north of the port town of Obock, between the night of October 8 and the early hours of October 9. Around 82 people survived, all of them Ethiopian nationals, the agency said.
The disaster is among the deadliest recorded on the Eastern Migration Route, a dangerous corridor used by people travelling from the Horn of Africa through Yemen in the hope of finding work and better living conditions in Gulf countries.
Overcrowding and a Desperate Crossing
According to survivors, the boat began sinking shortly after departure. Alexandre Coissac, the IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, said the vessel went down largely because it was overcrowded. The confirmed death toll increased from an initial report of 109 as more bodies were recovered. The 139 officially recorded deaths include 15 children. A further 84 people remain missing, and search-and-rescue operations are continuing.
The figures may change as authorities continue their work. The IOM has explained that its official count includes bodies buried by local authorities; other victims buried by fellow migrants cannot be included until their deaths are verified.
Survivors have been receiving medical and psychological support, while the IOM is working with Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency assistance and coordinate the response.
Why Migrants Risk the Eastern Route
The Eastern Route connects countries in the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia, with Yemen across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Many migrants hope to continue from Yemen to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in search of employment.
The crossing is perilous. Migrants face overcrowded boats, shipwrecks, trafficking, exploitation and possible arrest. Yet the route remains active despite insecurity in both countries and the risks of crossing the sea.
The IOM recorded more than 20,000 movements from Ethiopia into Djibouti from September 10, 2026, amid growing instability in the region. The agency also reported that more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the Eastern Route in 2025.
Poverty, limited economic opportunities, drought and conflict contribute to migration pressures. In northern Ethiopia, renewed fighting in Tigray has added to concerns about security and forced recruitment, while difficult living conditions continue to push people to seek opportunities elsewhere.
A Dangerous Destination as Well as a Transit Point
Yemen itself remains affected by conflict and displacement, complicating the journey for people who arrive there.
The country has long been a transit point for migrants heading towards wealthier Gulf states, even as Yemenis have also crossed the sea in the opposite direction to seek refuge in Djibouti.
The IOM reported a recent increase in people fleeing Yemen by sea amid renewed fighting between forces aligned with the internationally recognised government and Houthi fighters. The agency has warned that instability across the region is creating additional risks for people on the move.
For migrants, reaching Yemen does not guarantee safety or employment. Those without secure legal status may be vulnerable to detention, abuse and exploitation, while continuing onward can expose them to further dangers.
Calls for Safer Migration Pathways
The disaster has renewed attention on the need for safer and more accessible migration options.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that dangerous crossings are often driven by circumstances that leave people feeling they have few alternatives. Expanding lawful routes for migration, improving access to information, strengthening anti-trafficking operations and providing protection for vulnerable people could reduce reliance on smugglers and unsafe vessels.
Governments in countries of origin, transit and destination also face the challenge of coordinating search-and-rescue operations, identifying victims and supporting survivors. These responsibilities are particularly urgent when children are among those travelling.
Efforts to address the causes of displacement—including conflict, poverty, climate-related pressures and limited employment—are also important, although they require sustained investment and cooperation across the region.
A Continuing Humanitarian Crisis
For the families of those killed or missing, the immediate concern is whether loved ones can be found and identified. For survivors, medical care and psychological support will be essential as they recover from the disaster.
The tragedy also highlights the risks faced by people who cross the sea in search of safety and economic opportunity. With hundreds of people still unaccounted for in the aftermath of the capsizing, the rescue operation remains critical.
The latest disaster reinforces a difficult reality: dangerous migration routes continue to attract people even when the journey itself can prove fatal. Reducing further loss of life will require both effective emergency responses and practical alternatives for people who feel compelled to undertake the crossing.
