At least 139 die off Djibouti as boat attempting to reach Yemen sinks, UN says

The sinking involved 305 people aboard an overcrowded boat traveling from Djibouti toward Yemen. The scale of the disaster became clearer as rescuers recovered more bodies. The International Organization for Migration first reported 109 deaths and 116 missing people, then revised the figures.

The updated toll recorded 139 deaths, 82 survivors, and 84 people still missing. Among 109 bodies recovered earlier were 52 men, 42 women, and 15 children. The children included nine girls and six boys. All 82 survivors were Ethiopian nationals.

The figures show why the IOM called the wreck one of the deadliest recorded on this route. Djiboutian authorities continued search and rescue operations because people were still missing. The IOM was assisting 64 survivors at a migrant centre in Obock. The update also corrected the original estimate of 350 people aboard to 305.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. It lies between Djibouti on the African side and Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. Because it is the direct sea passage between these shores, migrants use it when traveling from Djibouti toward Yemen.

The article describes migrants trying to cross the strait to reach Yemen and then Gulf countries. That route is geographically short compared with traveling around the wider region, but overcrowded boats make the crossing extremely dangerous. The boat in this disaster began sinking backward soon after passengers boarded.

The strait remains a migration corridor even during Yemen’s conflict. Since September 10, the IOM detected more than 20,000 crossings to Djibouti from Ethiopia. The article does not provide another route’s distance or safety record. It does show that the direct passage remains heavily used despite war, instability, and repeated deaths.

Migrants attempted the crossing because they were seeking economic opportunities and believed the journey could lead to a better life. The IOM identified poverty, insecurity, and the growing impacts of climate change as major pressures. These forces can make remaining at home feel unsafe or economically impossible.

The route often continued beyond Yemen toward Gulf countries. Some migrants tried repeatedly: 150 people on the boat had previously been turned back from Yemen but attempted the crossing again. This shows how strong the pressures were, even after an earlier failed journey. The crossing itself was dangerous, and Yemen was experiencing fighting between government forces and Houthi rebels.

The article presents a grim contradiction. Conflict increased the danger, but did not stop movement. Since September 10, the IOM detected more than 20,000 crossings to Djibouti from Ethiopia. The IOM said safe and legal pathways were needed so people would not view such boats as their only option.

Surviving the sea crossing does not guarantee reaching Yemen or the Gulf countries. Some migrants end up stranded in Djibouti, according to IOM spokesman Kennedy Omondi Okoth. They may remain there after being turned back from Yemen, losing their route forward while still facing the pressures that prompted migration.

The article gives a concrete example of immediate assistance. After the shipwreck, the IOM was helping 64 survivors at a migrant centre in Obock. Djiboutian authorities continued search and rescue operations for those still missing. Survivors and families also faced uncertainty because relatives had died or remained unaccounted for.

The broader situation is substantial. The IOM said 178,000 people arrived in Djibouti from Ethiopia between January and October that year, and many attempted to continue toward Yemen. Without safer legal options and stronger support, more people may become stranded or attempt the crossing again. The IOM urged donors and partners to strengthen Djibouti’s response.

The migrants on this route were mostly Ethiopian, with many others from Somalia. All 82 survivors of this shipwreck were Ethiopian nationals. The IOM also spoke with a survivor from Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where rebels were battling the federal government during a recent flare-up of violence.

Many traveled through Djibouti because they hoped to cross the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, reach Yemen, and then continue toward Gulf countries. The journey was linked to economic hopes, but the article also identifies poverty, insecurity, and climate change as pressures. Some people persisted after being turned back: 150 passengers had previously been returned from Yemen.

The movement was large despite the danger. The IOM recorded 178,000 arrivals in Djibouti from Ethiopia between January and October that year. Since September 10, it detected more than 20,000 crossings to Djibouti from Ethiopia. These figures show sustained migration, even as conflict in Yemen made the onward route more dangerous.

Safer alternatives would give migrants lawful ways to work, study, reunite with family, or seek protection without using smugglers or dangerous boats. Governments could expand visas, humanitarian admission, family reunification, labor programs, and resettlement. The article does not detail specific programs, but the IOM calls for safe and legal pathways.

These options work by replacing an unsafe journey with an organized process. People could apply before traveling, receive information and screening, and use transport that does not depend on an overcrowded vessel. Resettlement could move especially vulnerable people to countries offering protection. Cooperation among Djibouti, Ethiopia, Yemen, Gulf countries, and donors would be important.

The need is urgent. The boat carried 305 people, while 139 died and 84 remained missing. Amy Pope said governments and donors must act before the next boat goes down. The IOM also urged stronger support for Djibouti’s search, rescue, and life-saving assistance.

Poverty, conflict, insecurity, and climate change can remove people’s safety, income, homes, or future prospects. When these pressures combine, people may decide that an irregular journey is worth the risk. The IOM said many migrants undertake the route while seeking economic opportunities, despite instability across the Middle East.

Smuggling and trafficking increase the danger along that journey. Smugglers can place large numbers of people on unsafe boats, while traffickers can exploit migrants who lack legal protection. The article does not describe a specific trafficking case on this boat, but the African Union called for action against migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. The sinking shows the possible cost of unsafe transport.

These causes will continue to shape movement unless conditions and choices change. The IOM urged safe, orderly, and regular migration, along with support for Djibouti’s rescue work. Legal routes, protection, and action on root causes could reduce dependence on deadly crossings.