21 Dead, 23 Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Djibouti Coast

On Monday night, a boat carrying 77 migrants capsized off the coast of Godoria in northeastern Djibouti, resulting in at least 21 deaths and 23 missing, according to the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM). The victims included children and a baby. The boat was carrying Ethiopian migrants from Yemen when it went down.

This marks the second such maritime disaster in just two weeks in the region. Another vessel carrying mainly Ethiopian migrants sank in the same area on April 8, claiming the lives of several dozen people.

Djibouti, located at the crossroads of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, has become a transit point for many migrants seeking passage to the Arabian Gulf and beyond. Every year, tens of thousands of African migrants brave this route, escaping conflict, natural disasters, or seeking better economic opportunities.

Why this matters: The ongoing tragedies highlight the desperate measures migrants are willing to take in search of a better life and the urgent need for international cooperation to address the root causes of migration and ensure safe passage for those leaving conflict and poverty.

The Ethiopian ambassador to Djibouti expressed deep sorrow over the "succession of horrific disasters" and called for legal action against human smugglers who put the lives of migrants at risk. The IOM is supporting local authorities with search and rescue efforts and providing assistance to scores of survivors.

Key Takeaways

• Migrant boat capsized off Djibouti, killing 21 and leaving 23 missing.
• This is the second such tragedy in 2 weeks in the same region.
• Djibouti is a transit point for African migrants seeking passage to the Gulf.
• The tragedies highlight the risks migrants take for a better life.
• The IOM is providing search, rescue, and assistance to survivors.