139 migrants die as boat capsizes off Djibouti coast

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 18:48 · Archive

At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, died when a boat carrying over 300 people capsized off Djibouti.

A boat carrying over 300 migrants capsized off the coast of Djibouti on 8 October. At least 139 people, including 15 children, have died, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The migrants boarded the vessel in the evening of 8 October and it sank very soon after, close to the shore. According to Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, the boat sank 'mainly because it was overcrowded'. The official death count includes only those buried by authorities in Djibouti; others have been buried by migrants themselves but will not be added to the official tally until authorities can verify the bodies.

Coissac said: 'What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation. They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened.' He noted that local authorities were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. Surviving migrants have been brought to an IOM rescue centre in Obock where they receive medical assistance and psychological support.

How it is being reported

• 139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off DjiboutiAt least 139 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat with 305 on board capsized off the coast of Djibouti in east Africa, the International Organization for Migration said.Clickorlando · 11 Oct, 11:59
• 139 migrants, including children, die after boat capsizes off DjiboutiAt least 139 migrants, including 15 children, have died after a boat with 305 on board capsized off the coast of Djibouti in east Africa, the International Organization for Migration said.News4Jax · 11 Oct, 11:59

In this story: Djibouti · International Organization for Migration · Alexandre Coissac · Obock

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