A migrant boat carrying an estimated 305 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti in northeastern Africa, resulting in the deaths of at least 139 individuals, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM). Authorities are still searching for at least 84 people who remain missing after the incident, which is considered one of the deadliest shipwrecks on the route from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.
The crossing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen is a perilous journey many migrants attempt in hope of finding work in wealthier Gulf nations despite ongoing conflicts and instability in the region. The 80 survivors from the capsizing were all Ethiopian nationals.
IOM representatives noted that poverty, insecurity, and climate change are significant factors driving migrants to undertake this dangerous passage. Search and rescue operations are continuing as fears grow for those still unaccounted for.
Migrant Route and Risks
In the past month, IOM has detected over 20,000 crossings from Djibouti to Yemen. Yemen’s ongoing civil war exacerbates the risks for migrants attempting the passage. More than 900 deaths were recorded among migrants attempting this crossing in 2025 alone. Most of the migrants attempting this route originate from Ethiopia and Somalia.
Demographics of the Victims
Of the recovered bodies, 52 were men, 42 women, and 15 children. The incident underscores the severity of the dangers facing migrants along this migration corridor.
International Support and Response
The IOM has urged donors and international partners to increase support for Djibouti’s search and rescue efforts and provide life-saving assistance for migrants making this crossing. Djiboutian authorities remain actively engaged in ongoing rescue operations.
