On Thursday night a boat carrying 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen capsized near the port town of Obock, leaving a tragic death toll of at least 139 migrants, 15 of them children. The United Nations migration office, via the International Organization for Migration (IOM), confirmed the loss and reported that roughly 82 individuals were rescued.
Human cost of the disaster
Deaths and injuries – The confirmed fatalities total 139, a figure that includes 15 children. The IOM’s Djibouti mission chief, Alexandre Coissac, described the incident as a "stark reminder" of the perils migrants face. Survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, have been taken to a response centre in Obock where they are receiving healthcare, counseling, and assistance reconnecting with families.
Why migrants risk the journey
Each year, tens of thousands of people from the Horn of Africa attempt the hazardous crossing of the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait to reach Gulf states. The motivations are a mix of poverty, insecurity, and climate‑driven displacement. Even though Yemen has been embroiled in a decade‑long civil war, the promise of work and safety continues to draw migrants.
UN and local response
The IOM, working closely with Djiboutian authorities, has stepped up assistance for the survivors and is coordinating burials for the deceased. The agency’s Displacement Tracking Matrix recorded over 20,000 movements from Ethiopia to Djibouti since 10 September, underscoring the scale of the migration flow.
- Rescued individuals: ~82
- Confirmed dead: 139 (including 15 children)
- Missing: dozens remain unaccounted for
- Survivors receiving aid: 64 at the Obock response centre
Broader context and lingering uncertainties
While the death toll is now set at 139, the exact number of missing migrants remains uncertain, as the IOM continues to recover bodies and identify the dead. In 2025, more than 900 migrants died or went missing on the same route, reflecting an 18 % rise in attempts to make the crossing. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has displaced over 130,000 people, adds further complexity to migration patterns in the region.
Looking ahead
Coissac’s remarks highlight the need for stronger regional cooperation to prevent such tragedies. Improved search‑and‑rescue capabilities, safer migration pathways, and addressing the root causes of displacement—including climate impacts—are essential steps. Until these measures are in place, the waters off Djibouti will likely continue to claim lives.
For the families left behind, the loss is profound. As the UN and local authorities work to provide closure, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost embedded in the broader migration crisis.