Djibouti Shipwreck: 139 Migrants Dead, 84 Still Missing After Boat Capsizes
A 27‑meter dhow, overloaded with migrants from Yemen and Somalia, capsized near the port of Djibouti on Friday. The vessel, which had departed from the port of Al‑Khaleej, sank within minutes, leaving survivors clinging to debris. The tragedy underscores the perilous journey migrants undertake across the Red Sea. It also highlights the urgent need for safer migration corridors in the Horn of Africa.
What Happened
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat set sail from Al‑Khaleej on a Thursday afternoon, carrying an estimated 250 passengers, many of whom were fleeing conflict and famine. Witnesses, including a local fisherman named Ahmed, reported that the vessel was already overloaded when it entered the Gulf of Tadjoura. When the dhow struck a shallow sandbank at 18:45 local time, it listed and ultimately capsized, sending its passengers into the cold waters. IOM officials confirmed that 139 bodies were recovered by the Djibouti Coast Guard, while 84 individuals remain missing and are presumed lost at sea. The rescue operation, coordinated by the Djibouti Navy and supported by the IOM, involved 12 boats and 3 helicopters, but the harsh sea conditions delayed recovery efforts. The incident has become the deadliest
Despite being a maritime tragedy, the majority of the capsized dhow’s hull was built from reclaimed wood salvaged from decommissioned fishing boats—a practice that unintentionally reduces the vessel’s buoyancy compared to newer, purpose‑built craft.
