At least 139 migrants died, including 15 children, and 84 remain missing after an overcrowded boat capsized off Djibouti while traveling to Yemen, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed on October 11, 2026. The vessel, carrying 305 people—primarily Ethiopian nationals—sank near Guhere, north of Obock, between the nights of October 8–9. More than 80 survivors, all Ethiopian, were rescued, while search-and-rescue operations continued.
The IOM initially reported 109 dead and 116 missing but revised the toll after additional bodies were recovered. Authorities in Djibouti and Ethiopia have not yet commented on the incident.
IOM officials attribute the disaster to overcrowding
Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, described the sinking as a “devastating loss of life,” noting survivors reported the boat began to sink immediately after departure. “No one gets into a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way,” IOM Director General Amy Pope stated in a separate release. The confirmed death toll includes only victims buried by authorities; some bodies were buried by migrants but will not be added to the official count until verified.
Survivors describe chaotic conditions
Survivors told IOM teams the vessel sank “backwards” shortly after launching, with worn-out footwear and other debris washing ashore. Coissac emphasized the tragedy underscores the dangers of the Bab al-Mandab Strait crossing, a route used by tens of thousands annually despite extreme risks.
Humanitarian response underway
IOM teams, alongside Djiboutian authorities, are providing emergency aid, medical care, and psychosocial support at a migrant response center in Obock. Local officials continue search-and-rescue efforts and are arranging burials for the deceased. The agency noted a 18% increase in migrants taking this route in recent months, driven by poverty, conflict, and climate pressures.
Regional context: Yemen’s ongoing crisis
The journey from the Horn of Africa to Yemen remains one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors, with migrants often fleeing instability in Ethiopia and Somalia. Despite Yemen’s decade-long civil war—now escalating between Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government—crossings persist as people seek work in Gulf states. Since September 10, 2026, the IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix recorded over 20,000 movements from Ethiopia to Djibouti.
Ethiopian nationals comprise all survivors and majority of victims
All 80+ survivors are Ethiopian, and most of the 305 passengers were Ethiopian, according to IOM reports. Among the recovered bodies, 52 were men, 42 women, and 15 children (nine girls and six boys). The IOM is assisting 64 survivors at its Obock center to restore family contacts and provide healthcare.
Long-term risks and policy gaps highlighted
IOM officials reiterated calls for safe and legal migration pathways, warning that without intervention, such tragedies will recur. Pope stated, “We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives.” The agency urged governments and donors to act before the next vessel departs.