A maritime disaster occurred off the coast of Djibouti late last week, resulting in the deaths of at least 109 individuals, including 15 children. According to the United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the vessel was carrying more than 300 people when it capsized near Guhere, located along the eastern coast facing the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The incident took place between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.
Search and rescue efforts, led by local authorities with support from the IOM, remain ongoing. Reports indicate that over 80 people, all of whom are Ethiopian nationals, survived the sinking. Alexandre Coissac, the IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, expressed sorrow over the event, describing it as a devastating loss of life and a harsh reflection of the perils faced by migrants traversing this corridor in pursuit of economic opportunities.
The route across the Bab al-Mandeb—a narrow 20-kilometre waterway between Djibouti and Yemen—is frequently used by migrants from the Horn of Africa despite the high risks. Many travellers attempt the crossing to reach Gulf countries, undeterred by the volatile regional security climate, which includes ongoing fighting in Yemen and broader instability. The IOM has noted a significant uptick in migration, recording more than 20,000 movements from Ethiopia into Djibouti since September 10. During the previous year, the agency documented over half a million attempts along this route, with at least 900 people reported dead or missing. As the search continues, international aid teams remain on the ground to provide emergency assistance to the survivors.
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