World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti; 139 dead, 84 missing
At least 139 people, including 15 children, have perished after a vessel capsized off Djibouti's eastern coast, with 84 others still unaccounted for. The International Organization for Migration has confirmed the maritime disaster, one of the deadliest involving migrant vessels in recent months.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The boat sank near Guhere on Djibouti's eastern shoreline, according to the UN migration agency's statement issued Sunday. Survivors recounted harrowing details of the incident to investigators, providing authorities with crucial information about the disaster.
The tragedy underscores the perils faced by migrants undertaking perilous sea crossings in the Horn of Africa region. The vessel's capacity and exact circumstances leading to the capsizing remain under investigation by local authorities and international organizations.
The International Organization for Migration has mobilized resources to assist survivors and coordinate search efforts for those still missing. Humanitarian agencies are providing medical care and support to those rescued from the water.
The incident adds to the growing toll of maritime casualties in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden corridors, where thousands of migrants attempt dangerous crossings each year in search of employment and better living conditions. Regional governments and international bodies continue efforts to combat human trafficking networks and improve maritime safety protocols.