At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, die in Djibouti boat capsize
At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat travelling from Djibouti to Yemen capsized near Obock on Thursday night, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says. Dozens remain missing, making this one of the deadliest recent incidents on a route used by migrants seeking safety and work in Gulf countries.
The boat carried 350 people, and about 80 were rescued; all survivors are Ethiopian nationals. The IOM said 52 men, 42 women, nine girls and six boys were among those whose bodies were recovered, and it is assisting 64 survivors with healthcare and family contact. More than 900 migrants died or went missing on the route in 2025, as attempts to make the journey rose by 18%.
- At least 109 people died when a migrant boat capsized off Djibouti.
- Dozens remain missing after the boat set out with 350 people.
- The IOM recorded more than 900 deaths or disappearances on the route in 2025.
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The sea route from Djibouti to Yemen crosses the Red Sea and is one of the world's most heavily used migration paths. Hundreds of thousands of people attempt this crossing each year in hopes of reaching Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where they seek work or safety.
Most migrants on this route are from Ethiopia and the surrounding region, fleeing poverty or conflict at home. Because there are limited legal routes to work in the Gulf, many turn to people smugglers who pack migrants into overcrowded boats, often in unsafe conditions.
The Red Sea crossing is extremely dangerous. Boats regularly capsize, sink, or are abandoned by smugglers, making this one of the world's deadliest migration routes. International organisations and governments have warned about the dangers for years, yet the number of people attempting the journey continues to grow.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Children among 109 dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti, UN says”.