English
Nederlands
Share
At least 139 people are dead and 84 remain missing after a Djibouti migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti in the early hours of Friday, 9 October 2026, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM). The overcrowded vessel, carrying an estimated 305 Ethiopian migrants, was travelling from the port town of Obock to Yemen when it sank in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's deadliest migration corridors.
Key figures from the disaster:
- 139 confirmed dead
- 84 still missing
- 305 people on board
- 82 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals
- 15 children among the recovered victims
What Happened Off the Coast of Djibouti?
The shipwreck occurred during the night of Thursday 8 to Friday 9 October 2026, near the coastal town of Obock, north of the capital Djibouti City. Rescue workers recovered bodies throughout the weekend. Of the recovered victims, 52 were men, 42 were women and 15 were children, including nine girls and six boys. The IOM initially reported 109 deaths and more than 116 missing, but revised the toll to 139 dead after 30 more bodies were recovered, with 84 still unaccounted for.
Around 82 people were pulled from the water, all Ethiopian nationals, and are receiving medical care at the IOM's Obock Migrant Response Centre. The disaster underscores the risks of the Eastern Africa migration route that links the Horn of Africa with the Arabian Peninsula.
Why Do Migrants Cross From Djibouti to Yemen?
The Djibouti-to-Yemen route is a central corridor for migrants from Ethiopia, Somalia and other Horn of Africa nations seeking work in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states. Smugglers often overload wooden boats to maximise profit, and the short crossing of about 30 kilometres is frequently made at night to avoid detection.
Drivers of the migration flow
- Poverty and unemployment in Ethiopia and Somalia
- Climate shocks, drought and food insecurity
- Conflict and insecurity in the Horn of Africa
Despite the civil war in Yemen, tens of thousands of migrants continue to attempt the crossing. The IOM recorded more than 20,000 migrant movements from Ethiopia into Djibouti in the month before the disaster, and about 152,700 transits along the eastern route in early 2026, an 8 per cent increase on the previous year. The situation has drawn renewed attention to Horn of Africa migration flows and the limited search-and-rescue capacity in the region.
Deadliest Shipwreck on This Route: What the IOM Says
IOM Djibouti mission chief Alexandre Coissac called the loss of life devastating and linked the tragedy to the drivers pushing people onto unsafe boats. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face along this migration route, Coissac said. We are witnessing a devastating loss of life driven by poverty, insecurity and climate change.
The IOM described the incident as the deadliest shipwreck on the Djibouti–Yemen route. Fatalities on the eastern migration route reached a record 922 in 2025, with at least 94 deaths or disappearances already recorded in early 2026, according to IOM data.
Impact and Response
Djiboutian authorities have continued search-and-rescue operations and are arranging dignified burials for the victims. The IOM is providing healthcare, shelter and protection services to 64 survivors at its Obock Migrant Response Centre, while local partners assist others. The agency has urged international donors to fund Djibouti's search, rescue and life-saving efforts along the route.
The sinking is the latest in a series of deadly incidents on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It highlights the urgent need for safe, legal migration pathways and stronger regional coordination among Djibouti, Ethiopia, Yemen and Gulf states, experts say. The tragedy has also reignited debate over Gulf states migrant labour policies and the responsibilities of destination countries.
FAQ: Djibouti Migrant Boat Capsize
How many people died in the Djibouti boat capsize?
At least 139 people died and 84 remain missing after a migrant boat carrying about 305 people capsized off Djibouti on 8–9 October 2026.
Where did the migrant boat capsize?
The vessel sank near the port town of Obock in Djibouti while travelling to Yemen across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Who were the survivors of the Djibouti shipwreck?
Around 82 people were rescued, all Ethiopian nationals. The IOM is assisting 64 survivors at its Obock Migrant Response Centre.
Why do migrants travel from Djibouti to Yemen?
Migrants, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia, use the route to reach Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE in search of work, fleeing poverty, climate shocks and insecurity.
How dangerous is the Djibouti–Yemen migration route?
The route is one of the world's deadliest. More than 900 migrants died or went missing on the route in 2025, and at least 94 deaths or disappearances were recorded in early 2026.
Follow Discussion