Over 139 Dead, Including Children, in Tragic Boat Disaster Off Djibouti Coast

A tragic maritime disaster off the coast of Djibouti has resulted in the deaths of at least 139 migrants, including 15 children, with dozens more still unaccounted for. The incident occurred during the night of October 8-9, 2026, when an overcrowded vessel carrying 305 people, primarily Ethiopian nationals, capsized near Guhere, north of the fishing town of Obock. The boat was en route from Djibouti to Yemen when it began to sink shortly after departure, according to survivor accounts.

Eighty-two individuals survived the shipwreck, all identified as Ethiopian nationals. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is actively providing emergency assistance, including healthcare, psychosocial support, and food, to 64 survivors at its response center in Obock. Djiboutian authorities are continuing search and rescue operations for the 84 individuals who remain missing, while also overseeing the burial of the deceased.

This incident marks one of the deadliest events on the "eastern route," a perilous migration corridor from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, frequently used by those seeking economic opportunities or fleeing conflict and natural disasters. The IOM has underscored the grave dangers faced by migrants undertaking this journey.