BREAKING: 139 Dead, Including Children, After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Djibouti

A boat carrying 305 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti on Thursday night, killing at least 139 people, including children, according to the United Nations. The vessel was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen when it went down near the port town of Obock, a known departure point for migrants and refugees seeking to cross the Gulf of Aden.

The UN said the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue. The route between the Horn of Africa and Yemen is one of the world's busiest and most dangerous migration corridors, used by thousands each year fleeing conflict, poverty, and drought. Many are Ethiopian and Somali migrants hoping to reach Gulf states via Yemen, often at the hands of smugglers who overload unseaworthy vessels.

The tragedy underscores the urgent need for enhanced maritime safety and international cooperation to protect vulnerable migrants. Djiboutian authorities have yet to issue a full statement, but UN agencies are expected to provide further details as the situation develops. This disaster follows a series of deadly shipwrecks in the region, highlighting the persistent risks faced by those undertaking the perilous journey.