At least 139 migrants, including children, have died after their boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti, a United Nations agency reported. The incident marks one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in the region in recent years.

The capsizing occurred in international waters near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a crucial and dangerous shipping lane that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Migrants often use this route to travel from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula in search of better economic opportunities.

Initial reports from the UN agency indicate that 84 other individuals are currently missing, raising fears that the death toll could climb higher. The exact number of people on board the vessel when it capsized remains unclear, as does the cause of the disaster. The survivors, if any, have not yet been accounted for.

The tragedy highlights the perilous journeys undertaken by thousands of migrants seeking to escape conflict, poverty, and drought in their home countries. Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, serves as a key transit point for these perilous voyages.

Maritime authorities and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned about the dangers of these overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels. The smugglers who facilitate these journeys often prioritize profit over the safety of the passengers, leading to frequent disasters at sea. This latest incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Past incidents in the Bab el-Mandeb strait have involved similar perilous crossings, with boats frequently overloaded and lacking basic safety equipment. The treacherous waters and the sheer desperation of those making the journey contribute to the high mortality rates.

Efforts to rescue survivors and recover bodies are expected to be complicated by the challenging maritime conditions in the area. International agencies are working to gather more information and coordinate any potential response, but the scale of the loss is already devastating.

Questions remain about the nationality of the victims and the specific circumstances that led to the boat's capsizing. Investigations into the incident by relevant authorities are anticipated, though recovering definitive answers from such a disaster can be extremely difficult.