On the night of October 8, 2023, a boat carrying over 300 migrants, with an exact number of 305 people on board, set off from the coast of Djibouti, headed towards Yemen. The vessel was overcrowded and sank shortly after departure, resulting in at least 139 deaths and 84 missing individuals, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The journey from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula is perilous, with many migrants seeking work in Gulf nations. Survivors of the incident were all Ethiopian nationals and were taken to the IOM rescue centre in Obock for medical and psychological support.
At least 139 migrants dead, 84 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti Read more 🔗⤵️ https://t.co/RTw6ue7g47
The boat's capsizing left many migrants in the water. The IOM confirmed the tragedy, noting that the vessel was overcrowded and sank soon after leaving Djibouti.
Survivors of the incident were all Ethiopian nationals and were taken to the IOM rescue centre in Obock for medical and psychological support.
At least 139 migrants died and at least 84 remain missing. Around 80 survivors received assistance from the IOM.
At least 139 people, including 15 children, have died after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti in East Africa 🔗 https://t.co/N1qEMDmInQ https://t.co/65M2BhioRy
Alexandre Coissac noted that 'They’re all in a state of shock.' He also said, 'What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation.' and 'They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened.'
The incident highlights the perilous journey migrants undertake from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.
At least 139 #migrants, including children, have died after a boat sank off the coast of #Djibouti. https://t.co/Ye2EJcPFV8