At least 45 people have died, and 111 are missing after smugglers forced migrants from two vessels into the open sea near Djibouti, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The incident, which occurred off the coast of Djibouti’s Obock region, highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants traversing the perilous route between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
The IOM stated that the vessels were transporting migrants returning from Yemen, many of whom were Ethiopians. While the precise timing of the tragedy was not immediately clear, Yemeni coast guard sources from the Red Sea port of Mocha confirmed the event took place on Tuesday.
The survivors recounted that the first boat, carrying 100 people, and the second, holding 210, were en route to Djibouti when Yemeni smugglers ordered the passengers to disembark in the open sea, forcing them to swim to shore. This reckless act resulted in the death of a woman, while her four-month-old infant miraculously survived. From the first boat, 98 others managed to swim to safety, though the fate of the passengers from the second vessel remains dire.
Rescue operations, led by Djiboutian coast guards, continue as authorities attempt to locate the missing and bring any remaining survivors to shore. However, the scale of the disaster and the inherent dangers of the sea have complicated rescue efforts. The IOM has yet to provide further details on the identities of the deceased or missing.
This tragic incident underlines the continued vulnerability of migrants navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden—regions that have long been corridors for smuggling networks capitalising on the desperation of individuals fleeing conflict and economic hardship in the Horn of Africa.
Djibouti, positioned at the crossroads of this migration route, is often the first stop for those fleeing Yemen’s civil war, which has displaced millions since 2015. Migrants face treacherous conditions, frequently at the mercy of smugglers who show no regard for human life.
The IOM has repeatedly raised alarm over the treatment of migrants in the region, urging governments to coordinate their efforts to address the root causes of these dangerous migrations and protect vulnerable populations. The agency also continues to offer assistance to survivors and those rescued from these perilous crossings.
