At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died, while more than 116 remain missing after a boat carrying around 350 people capsized while travelling from Djibouti to Yemen, the United Nations migration agency said on Sunday. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), survivors reported that the overcrowded vessel overturned in waters north of Obock, a town in Djibouti. The boat was carrying approximately 350 people when the tragedy occurred. The disaster has triggered an emergency response, with IOM teams working alongside Djiboutian authorities to assist survivors and provide urgent humanitarian support. "This is a devastating loss of life. Our thoughts are with the survivors and the families who have lost loved ones or remain without news of their relatives," said Alexandre Coissac, IOM chief of mission in Djibouti, in the statement. Coissac said IOM teams were working on the ground with local authorities to deliver emergency assistance to those affected by the incident.

Dangerous Migration Route Claims More Lives

The latest shipwreck has once again highlighted the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Djibouti to Yemen in search of better economic opportunities. Many hope to travel onwards to Gulf countries after reaching Yemen. "This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities by trying to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen and then to reach Gulf countries." The journey is particularly dangerous because of the risks associated with overcrowded boats and hazardous sea crossings. Migrants often undertake the trip despite the possibility of drowning, exploitation and becoming stranded along the way. Yemen's continuing conflict adds to the risks. The country remains affected by fighting between the Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Houthis have also become involved in the wider regional confrontation involving the United States and its allies against Iran.

Thousands Attempt the Journey From Ethiopia

The IOM said it had recorded more than 20,000 crossings from Ethiopia into Djibouti since September 10. Many migrants attempting the dangerous sea journey are Ethiopian or Somali nationals. IOM spokesperson Kennedy Omondi Okoth told AFP earlier in the week that many people attempting the crossing eventually become stranded in Djibouti. The latest incident comes amid a continuing pattern of deadly shipwrecks along the migration route. According to the IOM, more than 900 migrants died or went missing while travelling by sea to Yemen in 2025. The number of people attempting the crossing increased by 18% during the same year. Another shipwreck in March 2026 resulted in nine deaths, while 45 people were reported missing.

IOM Calls for More Humanitarian Assistance

Following the latest disaster, the IOM urged donors and partner organisations to increase their support for Djibouti. The agency stressed the need for additional resources to strengthen search-and-rescue operations and provide life-saving assistance to migrants. The latest tragedy underscores the continuing humanitarian crisis along the migration corridor, where thousands of people risk dangerous sea journeys in the hope of finding employment and better living conditions in Gulf countries.