Two migrant boats sank off the coast of Djibouti, resulting in at least 45 deaths, with many still missing, the United Nations migration agency reported on Tuesday.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that the boats had departed from Yemen carrying 310 people. So far, 32 survivors have been rescued, according to the agency’s post on social media platform X.
“This tragic incident underscores the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden,” said an IOM spokesperson, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing rescue operations. “We are working closely with Djiboutian authorities to support search and rescue efforts.”
The IOM confirmed it is assisting state emergency services in the search for survivors and recovery operations. The exact circumstances leading to the boats’ sinking remain unclear.
Djibouti, a small nation on the Horn of Africa, is a common transit point for migrants attempting to reach the Arabian Peninsula, often fleeing conflict or economic hardship in the region.
