Fastrack · At Least 139 Migrants Dead as Boat Capsizes Off Djibouti

At least 109 migrants died when a boat capsized off Djibouti on October 8 while heading to Yemen. More than 116 people remain missing.

15 children are among the confirmed dead.
350 people were on board, the IOM said, citing survivor accounts.
80-plus survivors were rescued, all Ethiopian nationals.
The boat sank near Guhere, north of the port town of Obock.

Why it matters: The sea crossing from Djibouti to Yemen is a main route for Ethiopians seeking work abroad. This wreck shows the risks on that route.

Alexandre Coissac, IOM's Djibouti mission chief, called the wreck "a devastating loss of life."

How 25 sources split on this story

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Coverage by lean% of 25 sources

25 sources · 31 articles · 56% Center coverage

Center14 sources

CTV News1w+139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti France 241w+At least 139 migrants die in boat wreck between Djibouti and Yemen Associated Press1w+109 migrants, including 15 children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti BBC News1w+Djibouti boat capsize: Children among 109 dead with 116 still missing, UN says Deutsche Welle1w+A migrant boat sank off the coast of Djibouti with the UN reporting over 200 people dead or missing Jerusalem Post1w+UN: At least 109 migrants, including 15 children dead after boat from Djibouti to Yemen capsizes KSAT 12 San Antonio1w+139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti Newsweek1w+15 Children Among 139 Dead After Migrant Boat Sinks off Djibouti PBS NewsHour1w+At least 139 migrants dead, dozens missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti coast PennLive1w+139, including children, dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti: ‘Overwhelmed with all the bodies’Reuters1w+109 migrants, including 15 children dead after boat from Djibouti to Yemen capsizes, UN agency says Sky News1w+109 dead after ship sinks off coast of Djibouti, UN agency says The Hill1w+139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti WGAL 81w+139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off Djibouti

Left coverage, 7 sources: The left focuses on the human toll, leading with the children among the dead.

The Independent1w+Tragedy as at least 139 die after overcrowded boat capsizes off Djibouti Al Jazeera1w+At least 109 dead, over 100 missing as migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti Cleveland.com1w+139 migrants, including kids, dead after boat capsizes off Djibouti CNN1w+Boat disaster off Djibouti leaves at least 139 dead, with toll feared to rise Los Angeles Times1w+139 migrants die after boat capsizes off Djibouti The Boston Globe1w+Boat capsizes off Djibouti, killing 109 migrants, including 15 children The Guardian1w+At least 109 dead including children after migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti

Right4 sources

Breitbart News1w+Over 130 Migrants Killed, Including Children, as Boat from Djibouti to Yemen Capsizes Daily Mail1w+More than one hundred migrants are dead including 15 children after boat capsizes off Djibouti OutKick1w+At least 139 migrants dead, 84 missing after overcrowded boat capsizes off Djibouti The Sun1w+At least 109 dead including 15 children after boat capsizes off Djibouti coast as search underway for hundreds missing

What’s next: IOM says its teams are on the ground with local authorities providing emergency assistance.

Ethiopia's government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
What happened to the more than 116 people still missing?
What caused the boat to capsize?
Who organized and operated the crossing?