In a tragic incident, at least 139 migrants, including 15 children, lost their lives after their boat capsized while traveling from Djibouti to Yemen. According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat, which was carrying 305 people, sank on the nights of October 8 and 9 near Godoria, located north of Obock.
Search and Rescue of Migrants
The International Organization for Migration announced that about 82 people survived this incident, and search and rescue efforts are still ongoing by Djiboutian authorities. The organization has also provided medical assistance to survivors and arranged for the burial of the deceased.
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Alexander Kwasisak, head of the IOM mission in Djibouti, stated that this tragedy serves as a reminder of the serious dangers that migrants face in this migration corridor. He also emphasized that migrants continue to undertake perilous journeys in search of economic opportunities despite numerous risks.
Difficult Conditions for Migrants
Migrants attempting to enter Yemen are seeking to reach the wealthy Gulf countries; meanwhile, Yemenis are also fleeing due to escalating conflicts in their country. Clashes between government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces supported by Iran have intensified, worsening the humanitarian situation.
According to recent reports, Ethiopian migrants examined in reports on the situation of migrants in Djibouti have left their country due to harsh living conditions and the impacts of drought. Some have also fled their country due to conflicts and forced recruitment by armed forces.
The eastern route, which migrants traverse, is fraught with multiple dangers, including maritime incidents and human trafficking. In 2025, over 900 migrants lost their lives or went missing on this route. The International Organization for Migration has described the critical situation in Yemen as alarming, with the number of displaced persons increasing from 76,000 in mid-September to 200,000.
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