139 migrants confirmed dead, 84 missing after boat capsizes off Djibouti

<p>At least 139 migrants, including 15 children, died when a boat carrying more than 300 people capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the United Nations' migration agency.</p><p>The vessel was carrying 305 people from Djibouti toward Yemen when it capsized Thursday night or early Friday near Guhere, north of Obock, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Sunday.</p><p>As of Sunday, at least 84 people remained missing, while more than 80 survived. All of the survivors were Ethiopian nationals, according to the agency.</p><p>IOM Director General Amy Pope stated, "No one gets into a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way."</p><p>Pope added, "We cannot keep treating these deaths as normal. Safe and legal pathways save lives. I am asking governments and donors to act before the next boat goes down."</p><p>The confirmed death toll includes only victims buried by authorities in Djibouti and could rise as additional bodies are verified, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti Alexandre Coissac told The Associated Press.</p><p>Some victims were buried by fellow migrants but will not be added to the official count until authorities can verify the bodies, the outlet reported.</p><p>Coissac noted that the boat sank shortly after departing on the evening of October 8, "mainly because it was overcrowded." Survivors were taken to an IOM rescue center in Obock, where they were receiving medical treatment after swallowing seawater as well as psychological support, according to The Associated Press.</p><p>Coissac remarked, "They're all in a state of shock."</p><p>The crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula is a common but dangerous route for migrants seeking work in Gulf countries.</p><p>According to the IOM, more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the route last year.</p>