At least 139 migrants have died after their boat capsized off Djibouti, UN Migration (IOM) said today. Another 84 are still missing. The toll rose from 109 after 30 more bodies were recovered, and search and rescue efforts are continuing.
The boat was carrying 305 people from Djibouti towards Yemen when it went down near Guehere, north of Obock, on the night of 8-9 October. It is one of the deadliest shipwrecks recorded on the Eastern Route.
"No one gets into a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way," said IOM Director General Amy Pope. "We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives. I am asking governments and donors to act before the next boat goes down."
Djiboutian authorities continue search and recovery operations as fears grow for those still missing. About 82 people survived the shipwreck.
IOM is providing emergency assistance to survivors at its Migrant Response Centre in Obock, including healthcare, psychosocial support, food, shelter and protection services.
