World · Africa · 5 hrs ago
At least 139 dead after migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti
A boat carrying more than 300 migrants capsized off Djibouti as it travelled toward Yemen.
The International Organization for Migration says at least 139 people died, including children, and 84 are still missing.
More than 80 people survived, and all the survivors are Ethiopian nationals.
The boat sank soon after migrants boarded on the evening of Oct.
8; an IOM official said overcrowding was a main cause.
The official death count includes people buried by Djibouti's authorities, and it could rise if other deaths are verified.
Survivors are receiving medical and psychological support, and some have been given phones to contact their families.
The dangerous crossing from the Horn of Africa toward the Arabian Peninsula remains a route used by many migrants seeking safety and work, despite conflict in Yemen.
Search and recovery efforts are continuing.
At least 139 people died after a migrant boat capsized off Djibouti while travelling to Yemen.
The IOM said 84 people remained missing and more than 80 survived.
The boat was carrying more than 300 migrants, and the IOM said the death toll could rise.
The survivors were Ethiopian nationals, and the IOM was providing medical and other assistance.
- Who
- More than 300 migrants were aboard; survivors were Ethiopian nationals.
- What
- A migrant boat capsized, killing at least 139 people. At least 84 remained missing.
- When
- Thursday night or Friday morning; the boat had boarded in the evening of Oct. 8.
- Where
- Off the coast of Djibouti, near Obock and Guhere, while travelling to Yemen.
- Why
- The IOM chief of mission said the boat sank mainly because it was overcrowded.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation
Survivors told me that the boat started to sink backwards as soon as they got in it
On board were women and men, but also children. The provisional toll is particularly heavy
The migrants boarded the boat, according to Alexandre Coissac.
The boat capsized off Djibouti while travelling to Yemen.
Coissac visited the shipwreck area as rescue work continued.
The IOM reported at least 139 deaths and 84 people still missing.
- Deaths
- At least 139
- Missing
- 84
- Survivors
- More than 80, all Ethiopian nationals
- People aboard
- 305, according to the IOM
- Route
- Djibouti to Yemen
- Capsize location
- Near the Djiboutian coast, close to Obock and Guhere
Sources
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