Bodies Identified: 527 Men, 42 Women, 15 Children 9 Girls & 6 Boys 80+ Survived, All Ethiopian Nationals

GENEVA/DJIBOUTI: At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, have died and 116 remain missing after an overloaded boat carrying about 305 people capsized while sailing from Djibouti to Yemen, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Sunday, Oct 11.

What Happened:

 The boat capsized near Guhere, north of Obock  a port town in Djibouti during the night of Oct 8-9. Survivors told IOM: "The boat started to sink backwards as soon as they got in it."

 The vessel was part of the dangerous Eastern Migration Corridor Ethiopians crossing Bab al-Mandeb Strait to Yemen, then trying to reach Saudi Arabia/Gulf for jobs.

Casualties:

 109 bodies recovered: 52 men, 42 women, 15 children (9 girls, 6 boys)

80+ survived all Ethiopian nationals  being cared at IOM's Obock Migrant Response Centre with food, shelter, medical help

116 still missing Djiboutian authorities continuing search and rescue, arranging burials

Why This Route Still Used:

IOM Chief in Djibouti Alexandre Coissac said: "This is a devastating loss of life. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities. Poverty, insecurity and growing impacts of climate change drive many to undertake this journey, despite mounting instability across Middle East."

 IOM data: Since Sept 10, over 20,000 crossings to Djibouti from Ethiopia detected. In 2025, over 900 migrants died/missing on this sea route, attempts up 18%. A March 2026 shipwreck left 9 dead, 45 missing.

Context — War In Yemen:

 Yemen is seeing worst escalation since 2022 truce fighting between Saudi-backed government and Iran-backed Houthis. Displacement surged from 76,000 to 200,000 in September. More than 3,700 people have fled Yemen BY SEA TO Djibouti last week reverse flow  to escape fighting and threat to Red Sea shipping lanes.

 Latest update: Some reports put toll at 139 dead after 30 more bodies found.