East Africa Boat Tragedy: 109 Migrants, Including 15 Children, Dead as 116 Remain Missing Off Djibouti

At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died after an overcrowded boat carrying 305 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti in East Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday. More than 80 people survived, while at least 116 remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could climb further.

The boat was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen when it capsized late Thursday night or early Friday morning, according to the UN migration agency. The victims included 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, highlighting the devastating toll on people undertaking the dangerous journey in search of safety and better opportunities.

The circumstances surrounding the capsizing were not immediately clear. The fate of those still missing remains uncertain.

The tragedy underscores the persistent dangers faced by migrants travelling along a key route connecting the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. Tens of thousands undertake the journey through Djibouti and across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, hoping to reach Gulf countries in search of employment, safety and better living conditions.

Despite the risks, the migration corridor continues to attract people seeking economic opportunities and fleeing difficult circumstances. Many attempt the crossing in overcrowded and unsafe boats, exposing themselves to potentially fatal accidents at sea.

The route remains active despite the ongoing violence in Yemen, adding to the dangers faced by those attempting to reach the Arabian Peninsula.

“This is a devastating loss of life,” said Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti. He described the disaster as a stark reminder of the dangers confronting migrants along the route as they seek economic opportunities.

The latest tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of migration routes across the Red Sea region, where vulnerable people risk their lives in perilous sea crossings in the hope of reaching safer destinations.

With at least 116 people still missing, the disaster has left families waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones and highlighted the deadly risks faced by migrants attempting the crossing.