At least 109 people, including 15 children, have died and more than 116 are missing after a boat carrying over 300 migrants capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the United Nations migration agency.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that the incident occurred near Guhere, on Djibouti’s eastern coast, between Thursday night and Friday dawn. The vessel was en route from Djibouti to Yemen, a journey often undertaken by migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking employment and safety in Gulf countries.

Survivors reported that the shipwreck happened in the waters facing the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Djiboutian search and rescue operations have been ongoing, with over 80 survivors, all identified as Ethiopians, rescued so far. The IOM's Chief of Mission in Djibouti, Alexandre Coissac, confirmed that teams are on the ground providing emergency assistance.

This tragedy highlights the perilous conditions faced by migrants traversing this route. The Bab al-Mandeb strait, at its narrowest point only 20 kilometers wide between Djibouti and Yemen, is a popular but dangerous passage. Instability in the region, including the ongoing conflict in Yemen and broader geopolitical tensions, does not deter migrants from attempting the journey.

The IOM has recorded a significant number of arrivals in Djibouti from Ethiopia since mid-September, indicating a continued flow of people seeking to move through the region. The agency also noted that last year, over half a million people attempted to travel along this route into Yemen, with at least 900 fatalities or disappearances.

Djibouti serves as both a departure point for migrants and a destination for those fleeing conflict. Thousands of people have sought refuge in Djibouti due to the renewed fighting in Yemen between government forces and Houthi fighters, which intensified last month.

The circumstances surrounding the boat's capsizing, including the exact cause and the vessel's condition, remain under investigation. The significant number of missing persons underscores the scale of the disaster and the challenges faced by authorities in accounting for all those on board.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of migration in unstable regions. The IOM continues to emphasize the dangers inherent in these journeys and the need for safe and legal migration pathways, especially for those fleeing conflict and seeking better economic opportunities.