At least nine people have died and 45 remain missing after a migrant vessel sank off the coast of Djibouti, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The incident occurred on the night of March 24 near the northern coastal area of Ombok. The boat was reportedly carrying around 320 passengers at the time of the accident.
The IOM did not disclose the vessel’s origin or intended destination. However, such incidents are common along the migration corridor between the Horn of Africa and Yemen, one of the busiest and most dangerous maritime routes used by migrants seeking work in the Middle East.
Each year, tens of thousands of migrants, primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia, travel through Djibouti attempting to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The journey often involves crossing the Red Sea in overcrowded and poorly equipped vessels.
The route – known as the “Eastern Route” – has become increasingly deadly. According to IOM data, 2025 was the deadliest year on record, with 922 migrant deaths, more than double the previous year’s figure.
The latest shipwreck highlights the persistent dangers faced by migrants at sea, including overcrowding, unseaworthy vessels, and lack of safety measures.
With dozens still unaccounted for, search and rescue efforts are ongoing, but the chances of survival diminish rapidly with time, particularly in remote offshore areas.
The incident adds to a growing number of maritime tragedies in the region, underlining the urgent need for improved safety measures and coordinated international response along one of the world’s most hazardous migration routes.
