139 Migrants Died in Boat Capsizing Off Djibouti

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that at least 139 migrants died and dozens are missing after a boat carrying 305 people capsized near Guhere, north of Djibouti's Obock.

The vessel sank shortly after departure, primarily due to overcrowding, according to Alexandre Coissac, the IOM's chief of mission in Djibouti.

The death toll includes only those buried by authorities in Djibouti. Others buried by migrants themselves will not be added to the official count until verified by authorities.

Survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, are receiving medical care, while search and rescue operations continue, the IOM said.

Photographs shared by the IOM showed worn-out sandals and sneakers washed up on the shore.

Migrants were heading to Yemen, hoping to reach wealthier Gulf nations, even as Yemeni nationals themselves flee their country.

The IOM described the crisis as alarming, with displacement figures rising to 200,000 from 76,000 in mid-September, according to data released by the agency last week.

More than 3,700 people have fled Yemen by sea to Djibouti as of last week, which is the opposite direction from the movement of the migrants who died when the boat capsized and the typical migration patterns of recent years.

Fighting in Ethiopia has also escalated, with the biggest escalation of violence since the 2020-2022 Tigray war, prompting more migrants to take the Eastern Route through Djibouti.

Ethiopian migrants interviewed as part of the agency's most recent situation report on Djibouti from September 20 to September 30 said they had left their country due to difficult living conditions, including the impact of drought.