At least nine migrants have died and 45 others are missing following a shipwreck off the coast of Djibouti, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said today. The migrants were attempting to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Djibouti to Yemen on 24 March when the incident occurred. The vessel is believed to have been carrying more than 300 people on board, according to survivors.
"Every life lost at sea is one too many," said Tanja Pacifico, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti. "This tragic shipwreck may sadly mark the first of many incidents this year and comes at a time when the hot season is just starting in Djibouti, bringing rougher seas and strong winds that place migrants at even greater risk."
So far, the bodies of three women and six men have been recovered. IOM teams are providing food, shelter, and health and mental health and psychosocial support to the more than 120 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, at IOM's Migrant Response Centre in the nearby town of Obock.
Government-led search and rescue operations are ongoing in the hope of finding more survivors, while local authorities are putting in place dignified burial arrangements for the deceased and supporting medical treatment for those rescued.
Each year, tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa travel to Djibouti in an attempt to cross the Gulf of Aden and reach Gulf countries in search of safety, stability, and job opportunities. Many are driven by poverty, insecurity, and the growing impacts of climate change. These movements are taking place at a time of mounting instability across the Middle East.
Most never reach their intended destination. Instead, they drown at sea or become stranded in Yemen, where they face grave risks, including violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, exploitation and trafficking. Last year alone, more than 900 migrants died or went missing on the same route, according to IOM's Missing Migrants Project . In 2025, the number of migrants taking this dangerous journey also increased by 20 per cent.
IOM continues to work closely with authorities in Djibouti to prevent more tragedies and deaths along this route, both at sea and on land. Earlier this year, IOM launched the 2026 Regional Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Southern Africa , appealing for USD 91 million to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of migrants along the Eastern Route.
In response to growing needs and funding shortfalls, IOM calls for increased international support to strengthen search and rescue operations and expand safe migration pathways. IOM further urges donors and partners to scale up their financial support to Djibouti to sustain life-saving assistance and prevent further loss of life.
A tragic shipwreck occurred on the night of 24 March off the coast of Djibouti, north of Obock: 9 people have died, 45 remain missing, out of 320 passengers.
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