Djibouti boat wreck kills 139 migrants, 84 missing: UN

A UN agency reported that at least 139 migrants died and 84 went missing after an overcrowded boat sank near Djibouti, en route to Yemen. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed the incident occurred north of the town of Obock on the night of October 8-9.

The vessel, carrying 305 people, was primarily composed of Ethiopian nationals. Survivors described the boat as starting to sink as soon as they got in it, according to IOM chief of mission Alexandre Coissac.

The IOM initially reported 109 deaths and 116 missing, later revising the toll to 139 dead and 84 missing after more bodies were recovered. IOM teams are working alongside Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency aid to survivors.

The incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Yemen and then to Gulf countries in search of economic opportunities. Coissac noted that many of the deceased had previously been turned back from Yemen but attempted the crossing again.

The IOM stated that 150 of the individuals on the boat had been rejected by Yemen but chose to attempt the journey once more. The agency also reported that over 178,000 people arrived in Djibouti from Ethiopia between January and October this year, with more than 20,000 crossings detected since September 10.

IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the need for safe and legal migration pathways, stating that the deaths should not be treated as routine. The agency urged donors and partners to support Djibouti's response efforts, including search and rescue and life-saving assistance.