Djibouti Migrant Boat Disaster Kills 139, Leaves 84 Missing

At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, died after a boat carrying 305 people capsized off Djibouti while traveling to Yemen, and 84 remain missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The incident occurred at night Oct. 8–9 near Guhere, north of the fishing town of Obock, survivors told, and the IOM said 82 people survived—everyone Ethiopian nationals. The UN migration agency described it as one of the deadliest disasters along the eastern migration route linking the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. IOM said it is providing healthcare, psychological support, food and other aid to 64 survivors at its response center in Obock, while local authorities continue search and rescue and arrange burials. The IOM reported that more than 900 people died or went missing on the route in 2025, amid an 18% rise in journeys.