<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Children among victims; dozens missing as international agencies renew calls for safer migration routes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DJIBOUTI, October 12 (International News Desk): At least 139 migrants, including children, have died after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen, in one of the latest deadly incidents along a major migration route linking the Horn of Africa with the Arabian Peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to reports citing the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat was carrying approximately 305 people when it overturned near the coastal area of Guhere, north of the port town of Obock, during the night of October 8\u20139. At least 82 survivors were reported rescued, while dozens of people remained missing as authorities continued efforts to establish the full scale of the disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tragedy has once again drawn international attention to the dangers faced by migrants undertaking irregular sea crossings in search of employment, security and better living conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overcrowding and dangerous sea crossings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Initial reports indicate that the vessel was severely overcrowded. The precise circumstances that caused it to capsize have not been fully established in the reports available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Survivors reportedly included Ethiopian nationals travelling along the Eastern Route, a migration corridor used by people moving from the Horn of Africa through Yemen towards Gulf countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The route is known for hazardous sea journeys, limited safety measures on some vessels and the risks associated with irregular migration networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International media highlight humanitarian concerns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
International news organisations, including Reuters and the Associated Press, reported on the high death toll and the challenges faced by rescue teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reuters, citing the IOM, highlighted the dangers confronting migrants who undertake the crossing in pursuit of economic opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Associated Press reported that the disaster had left families facing uncertainty over missing relatives. It also described difficulties in identifying victims, with reports that some bodies had been buried before formal identification procedures could be completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The casualty figures remain provisional and could change as search operations continue and further information becomes available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UN migration agency calls for safer pathways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The International Organization for Migration has repeatedly warned about the risks of irregular migration along the Eastern Route. Following the disaster, the agency’s response has focused on supporting survivors and coordinating assistance with local authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IOM Director-General Amy Pope has advocated safer and legal migration options. In remarks reported by the Associated Press, she stressed that access to safe migration pathways can help prevent deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian agencies say that improved rescue capacity, stronger protection for vulnerable migrants and action against exploitative smuggling networks are important elements of preventing similar tragedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conflict and poverty drive migration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many migrants travelling through Djibouti hope to reach Yemen and subsequently find work in Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries. Economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and environmental pressures are among the factors that can influence their decisions to leave home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the journey can expose migrants to drowning, exploitation, violence and severe shortages of food and medical assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yemen itself remains affected by a prolonged humanitarian crisis, creating additional risks for people who arrive there intending to continue their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Search efforts and identification continue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Authorities and humanitarian workers face the difficult task of assisting survivors, searching for missing people and identifying the dead. Medical and psychological support is also important for those who survived the disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident has renewed calls for coordinated international action to address the circumstances that push people towards dangerous crossings and to expand access to safe, legal migration routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the families of those who died or remain missing, the immediate priority is to establish the fate of their loved ones. For humanitarian organisations, the wider challenge is to prevent another disaster of similar magnitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, International Organization for Migration (IOM). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Children among victims; dozens missing as international agencies renew calls for safer migration routes DJIBOUTI, October 12 (International News Desk): At least 139 migrants, including children, have died after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen, in one of the latest deadly incidents along a major migration route linking…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international"],"yoast_head":"\n