A vessel carrying 305 people capsized off Djibouti on the night of October 8-9. The boat was heading from Djibouti to Yemen. Survivors reported the vessel began sinking immediately after boarding. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed at least 139 people died, including 15 children. Eighty-four others remain missing.
The IOM stated the boat was overcrowded, with most passengers being Ethiopian. The incident occurred north of the town of Obock. Survivors described the boat as starting to sink backward as soon as they boarded. The IOM is leading the search and rescue efforts.
This tragedy highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Red Sea. The African Union expressed condolences and called for improved regional and international cooperation to prevent such incidents. The IOM continues to monitor the situation and provide support to affected families.
