Migrant Boat Capsizes off Djibouti, Killing at Least 139

The International Organization for Migration confirmed that a migrant boat carrying 305 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti, killing at least 139 people, including children, with 84 others still missing.

The vessel capsized during the night of October 8 to 9 near Gouere, north of Obock in Djibouti, while traveling from Djibouti to Yemen. About 82 people survived, all Ethiopian nationals.

Alexander Quassack, the IOM’s chief of mission in Djibouti, told the Associated Press that the death toll includes only bodies buried by Djiboutian authorities. Other bodies were buried by migrants themselves but will not be counted in official figures until authorities verify them.

Quassack said, “The horrible thing is that they were buried without names, in mass graves, like a war scene. They all had mothers, fathers, and we may never know what happened.”

IOM Director General Amy Pope said in a statement, “No one boards a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way. We cannot continue to treat these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives. I call on governments and donors to act before the next boat sinks.”

The tragedy occurred on one of the world’s busiest and most dangerous migration routes. More than 900 migrants died or went missing on this route last year. Since September 10, more than 20,000 migrants have entered Djibouti from Ethiopia.