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At least 109 dead and 116 missing after migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti
Overview
At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died and 116 remain missing after a boat carrying 350 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti near Obock. The vessel was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen when it sank on Thursday night. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that around 80 people were rescued, all of whom are Ethiopian nationals receiving medical care and assistance.
Key points
- At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died when a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti.
- The vessel was carrying approximately 350 people from Djibouti to Yemen when it sank near Obock on Thursday night.
- Around 80 people were rescued, with survivors receiving medical care and support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- The recovered bodies include 52 men, 42 women, nine girls, and six boys, all Ethiopian nationals.
- The IOM reported an 18% increase in people taking this migration route, with over 900 migrants dying or going missing on the same route in 2025.