OBOCK, Djibouti — At least 139 migrants have been confirmed dead and 84 others remain missing after an overcrowded vessel carrying more than 300 passengers capsized off the coast of Djibouti, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Sunday, October 11, marking one of the deadliest maritime disasters along the Horn of Africa migration corridor in recent years.
Search and rescue operations conducted jointly by the Djibouti Coast Guard and local emergency maritime units recovered 30 additional bodies over the weekend, pushing the confirmed death toll from 109 to 139. Among the confirmed casualties are at least 15 children — nine girls and six boys — alongside 52 men and 42 women, according to forensic and humanitarian verification teams on the ground.
Overcrowded Vessel Capsizes on the 'Eastern Route'
Humanitarian officials stated that the ill-fated vessel, carrying 305 individuals, set sail under cover of darkness before running into severe difficulties and capsizing near Guehere, north of the coastal town of Obock. Overloaded far beyond safe capacity, the boat succumbed to turbulent maritime conditions in the Bab al-Mandab strait as it attempted to cross toward the southern coastline of Yemen.
Eighty-two passengers survived the catastrophe after managing to reach the shore or being pulled from the sea by local fishermen and emergency responders. The IOM confirmed that all surviving migrants are Ethiopian nationals who had embarked on the perilous crossing seeking economic survival and employment opportunities in Gulf nations.
“This tragedy underscores the immense human cost of perilous sea crossings along what has become one of the busiest and most dangerous mixed-migration routes in the world,” stated Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti. “Our teams are providing life-saving medical care, trauma counseling, and humanitarian relief to the survivors while supporting local authorities in the dignified recovery and burial of the deceased.”
Escalating Peril on Mixed-Migration Corridors
The so-called “Eastern Route” from the Horn of Africa through Djibouti and Yemen remains heavily trafficked despite severe regional volatility, armed conflicts, and intensified border controls. Tens of thousands of young migrants and families from Ethiopia, Somalia, and neighboring East African nations transit through Djibouti each year, frequently falling prey to predatory human smuggling networks operating unlicensed and unseaworthy vessels across the Red Sea.
United Nations migration monitoring data reveals that more than 400 migrants have perished along this corridor since the beginning of the year alone, with overcrowded maritime departures increasingly vulnerable to sudden squalls, engine failures, and capsizing in high seas.
Local authorities in Obock have commenced burial arrangements for the recovered victims in coordination with humanitarian agencies, while patrol vessels continue to scan surrounding coastal waters for the 84 individuals who remain unaccounted for.
For ongoing coverage of international developments and humanitarian reports, visit the Pak Pulse 247 World News section and explore our latest news coverage.