At least 109 dead as migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti coast

The boat went down in waters off Obock, a strategic port located on the northwestern coast of Djibouti along the Red Sea. The vessel was making the crossing to Yemen when it capsized Thursday evening, according to UN sources monitoring the tragedy.

Among those confirmed dead are multiple children, underlining the vulnerability of migrants undertaking perilous maritime journeys across one of the world's busiest shipping corridors. The exact cause of the capsizing has not been immediately determined, though overcrowding is a recurring concern on vessels operating these routes.

The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by people attempting to migrate across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, regions where humanitarian crises and conflict have driven large-scale population movements. Djibouti, positioned at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, has become a key transit point for migrants seeking passage to Yemen and beyond.

Recovery and identification efforts are ongoing, with authorities attempting to account for all those aboard. The United Nations and international humanitarian organizations are expected to provide additional details as the situation develops.