A devastating shipwreck occurred off the coast of Djibouti, resulting in significant loss of life. The incident involved a migrant boat carrying more than 300 people, which capsized due to being overcrowded.
What happened
The boat, which was traveling from Djibouti to Yemen, sank close to the shore on Thursday night or Friday morning. Among the victims were 15 children, including nine girls and six boys. The survivors, all Ethiopian nationals, were brought to a rescue center where they received medical assistance and psychological support.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the death toll could still rise, as 84 people remain missing. Personal items, including shoes, were found on the beach, and rescue work is ongoing. The IOM warned that this tragedy highlights the dangers faced by migrants seeking economic opportunities in the region.
The incident is one of the deadliest shipwrecks on the popular but perilous crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. Tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa travel through Djibouti and across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait toward Gulf countries in search of safety and economic opportunities each year.
