Migrant disaster off the coast of Djibouti: At least 109 deaths, including 15 children

In the statement made by the United Nations (UN) International Organization for Migration (IOM), it was noted that at least 109 migrants, including 15 children, lost their lives and 116 were missing as a result of the ship going from Djibouti to Yemen with 350 people on board sinking off the coast of Djibouti on the night between October 8 and October 9.

According to the information given by survivors of the disaster to the International Organization for Migration, the ship capsized and sank off the coast of Djibouti's Obock town.

IOM Djibouti Chief of Mission Alexandre Coissac said, "This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers faced by migrants seeking economic opportunity across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, trying to reach Yemen and then the Gulf countries." he said. Coissac said IOM teams were on the ground with Djiboutian officials to provide emergency assistance.

ALL 80 SURVIVORS ARE ETHIOPIAN

In the statement made by IOM, it was stated that of the 109 people whose dead bodies were found, 52 were men, 42 were women, and 15 were children, including 9 girls and 6 boys. It was noted that all 80 people who survived the disaster were Ethiopian citizens.

Stating that more than 900 migrants died or disappeared on the sea route to Yemen last year, IOM reported that there was an 18 percent increase in the number of those attempting this journey.