A boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Obock, Djibouti, killing at least 139 people, including 15 children, according to the United Nations. The vessel, which was bound for Yemen, had 305 passengers on board when it overturned on Thursday night.

UN officials say 84 people remain missing, while 80 Ethiopians survived the crash and were rescued by local authorities. The tragedy highlights the desperate lengths people will go to escape hardship.

The loss of life is a tragedy for the families involved.

Obock, a small port town on Djibouti’s northern coast, has become a common departure point for migrants from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and other neighbouring countries. The journey to Yemen is long, often undertaken on overcrowded, unlicensed boats that routinely exceed safe capacity.

Djibouti sits at the crossroads of the Red Sea, a route that has seen a surge in smuggling activity since the early 2010s. In 2019 the country reported more than 600 deaths on the high‑risk journey, and the International Maritime Organization has warned of the dangers posed by unregulated vessels.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have called for stricter regulation of maritime transport and better coordination between coastal states. They said the incident underscored the need for improved search‑and‑rescue capacity and for better data sharing on migration flows.

Djibouti’s Interior Ministry said it had deployed coast guard vessels and local police to the scene, but it did not yet have a full account of the number of casualties. Local media reported that the rescue operation was hampered by strong currents and limited equipment.

The incident comes amid rising tensions in the region. Yemen’s ongoing conflict has created a complex security environment, and the route through Djibouti has become more contested as shipping lanes grow crowded.

Humanitarian organisations warn that without a comprehensive strategy, more lives could be lost on the same route. They are urging regional governments and international partners to prioritise maritime safety and to address the root causes that push people to risk such dangerous journeys.

Djibouti’s president, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, is scheduled to meet with UN officials early next week to discuss the incident and potential policy measures. An investigation into the cause of the capsize is expected to begin shortly, with the aim of preventing future tragedies.