Djibouti Migrant Shipwreck Death Toll Rises to 139

2026, October 12

Djibouti / Yemen / Ethiopia

The death toll from a migrant boat disaster off Djibouti has risen to at least 139 people, including 15 children, according to the International Organization for Migration. The boat was carrying 305 people towards Yemen when it capsized. Eighty-two survivors have been rescued, while 84 people remain missing, with search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian assistance continuing.

The disaster occurred along the dangerous migration route connecting the Horn of Africa with the Arabian Peninsula. Many people travelling this route are fleeing poverty, conflict or insecurity in search of employment and better living conditions. Overcrowded boats and hazardous sea conditions make the crossing particularly dangerous, while instability in Yemen adds further risks for those who survive the journey.

Why it matters: This is a major humanitarian tragedy that highlights the dangers facing migrants and the urgent need for effective rescue operations and safer migration routes.

Sources: The Guardian — Updated death toll from Djibouti shipwreck · Tempo — IOM figures on casualties and missing people