At least 139 migrants die as boat capsizes off Djibouti en route to Yemen
The UN reported that an overcrowded vessel carrying people from Djibouti toward Yemen sank, with 139 confirmed dead and 84 still missing as of 13 October.
Djibouti2 min read
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At least 139 people died and 84 remain missing after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while heading toward Yemen, the International Organization for Migration reported on 13 October 2026.
The vessel carried 305 people in total. More than 80 survivors were rescued. Fifteen of the dead were children. The IOM stated that migrants continue to attempt the crossing despite the violence in Yemen, seeking to reach Gulf countries for work.
The route from Djibouti across the Bab al-Mandab area has long been used by people from the Horn of Africa. Recent fighting between Houthi forces and the Saudi-led coalition has not stopped the traffic. The current conflict has instead added risks from both sea conditions and military activity near the strait.
UN agencies track these journeys because the boats are frequently overloaded and lack basic safety equipment. The 305-person load on this vessel exceeded typical safe capacity for the type of craft used. Survivors described the boat taking on water before it overturned.
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly crossings. Earlier in 2026, similar capsizes claimed dozens of lives on the same route. The IOM and UNHCR have repeatedly noted that the economic pull of Gulf labor markets outweighs the documented dangers for many travelers.
Yemen itself is in the midst of renewed fighting. Houthis control much of the northern coast and have engaged Saudi forces. The path through Yemen remains the main overland option once people reach the Arabian Peninsula. Many intend to continue into Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states.
Rescue efforts involved local authorities in Djibouti and international agencies. The full number of missing may rise if additional bodies are recovered. Identification of the dead is complicated by the lack of documentation among many of the passengers.
The IOM's statement highlighted the persistence of the route. People continue to board these boats even as reports of drownings circulate. The combination of poverty in origin countries and demand for labor in destination countries sustains the flow.
No single smuggling network has been named in connection with this specific boat. The pattern across multiple incidents points to a decentralized set of operators who load as many people as the vessels can hold. The 139 confirmed deaths make this one of the higher-casualty events on the route this year.
Agencies are expected to update the missing count as search operations continue. The survivors have been taken to temporary facilities in Djibouti. Further details on nationalities of the passengers have not yet been fully released.
