139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Death Toll Rises to 139 After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Djibouti

   At least 139 people died after an overcrowded migrant boat capsized near the port town of Obock on Thursday night. The vessel was transporting 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen. A UN agency reports that 15 children are among the dead and 84 people remain missing. Some victims were buried in a common grave without names, according to a UN official. Early reports had estimated 109 deaths and 116 missing, but the confirmed death toll has since increased.

   Why it matters

   The incident highlights the dangers of migration routes from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. Migrants frequently use small, overcrowded vessels to reach Yemen. The scale of the loss is compounded by the difficulty of identifying victims.

   What is confirmed

   • At least 139 people died after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti.
   • The boat was carrying 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen.
   • The vessel sank on Thursday night near the port town of Obock.
   • 15 children are among the dead.
   • 84 people remain missing.

   What to watch next

   • Recovery efforts for the 84 missing persons
   • Official identification of the deceased
   • UN reports on the cause of the capsize
   Sources used for this update (34)

   1. BBC — Djibouti boat capsize: Children among 109 dead with 116 still missing, UN says
   2. The New York Times — Over 100 Migrants Are Dead After Boat Capsizes Near Djibouti
   3. Al Jazeera — At least 109 dead, over 100 missing as migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti
   4. Reuters — 109 migrants, including 15 children dead after boat from Djibouti to Yemen capsizes, UN agency says
   5. The Guardian — At least 139 dead including children after migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti
   6. Sky News — At least 139 dead and 84 missing after boat capsizes off coast of Djibouti, UN agency says
   7. AP News — 139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti
   8. Yahoo — At least 139 people dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti, U.N. Says
   9. CNN — Boat disaster off Djibouti leaves at least 139 dead, with toll feared to rise
   10. UN News — Djibouti shipwreck: Death toll rises to 139 as 84 remain missing
   11. CBS News — 139 people dead, including 15 children, after migrant boat capsizes off Africa: "Overwhelmed with all the bodies"
   12. Vatican News — Scores of people die in migrant boat tragedy off Horn of Africa
   confidence 95%