Boat sinks off African country Djibouti:109 dead, 116 missing; 350 aboard, over 80 rescued

At least 109 people died and 116 remain missing after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of the African country of Djibouti. Around 350 people were on board. More than 80 people have been rescued. According to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), all survivors are Ethiopian nationals. The incident occurred on the night of October 8-9, north of the city of Obock in Djibouti. The IOM said 109 bodies have been recovered so far. They include 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, comprising nine girls and six boys. Boat was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen Survivors said the boat was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen when it capsized at sea. IOM teams are working with Djiboutian authorities to search for missing people and support affected families. Alexander Koissak, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Djibouti, described the incident as a tragic loss of life. He said his thoughts were with the families who have lost loved ones or are still waiting for news of them. People take dangerous sea route in search of better lives According to the IOM, many people take this dangerous sea route in search of jobs and better lives due to poverty, insecurity and the growing effects of climate change. Migrants attempt to reach Yemen from Djibouti by crossing the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Their next goal is to reach Gulf countries. The route carries a persistent risk of boats sinking and people losing their lives at sea. The IOM said that despite instability in the West Asia, people continue to undertake this risky journey in search of better economic opportunities.