109 people have died and 116 remain missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The boat was heading to Yemen when it overturned near Obock on Saturday evening, 10 October. Deutsche Welle, citing IOM, reports that 80 people survived.
The figures released by the organisation on Sunday, 11 October, are not a final toll. Djibouti’s authorities were continuing search and rescue operations. The fate of those missing remained unknown, and they are not counted among the confirmed deaths.
The bodies recovered included 52 men, 42 women and 15 children. All 80 survivors were Ethiopian nationals, DW reports. An estimated 350 people were on board. That figure is approximate, and the reported numbers of dead, missing and survivors do not account for everyone who may have been travelling on the boat.
Alexandre Coissac, IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, described the loss of life as devastating and highlighted the dangers of this migration route. The disaster occurred during the crossing from Djibouti to Yemen, the route the boat’s passengers were taking.
IOM appealed to donors and partners to support Djibouti’s response, including search and rescue operations and life-saving assistance.
