More than 300 people were reportedly aboard the overcrowded boat heading towards Yemen when it overturned off Djibouti, highlighting the deadly risks facing migrants crossing the Gulf of Aden.

 At least 139 migrants have died and 84 others remain missing after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while carrying passengers towards Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported.

The boat was reportedly carrying more than 300 people when it overturned during the night of October 8–9, triggering a major search and rescue operation off the coastal town of Obock.

Survivors have received assistance, while search and response operations have continued amid fears that the death toll could rise as efforts to locate the missing passengers continue.

The disaster is another devastating reminder of the dangers faced by migrants attempting the perilous journey from the Horn of Africa across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.

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Thousands of people undertake the crossing each year, driven by poverty, unemployment, conflict and the hope of finding safer living conditions and better economic opportunities elsewhere.

Despite the risks, the Eastern Migration Route remains active, with migrants often travelling aboard overcrowded and unsafe vessels operated by smugglers and traffickers.

The latest tragedy underscores the vulnerability of people embarking on irregular migration journeys, many of whom have limited access to safe travel options and are exposed to exploitation, abuse and life-threatening conditions along the way.

The IOM has called for safer and more accessible migration pathways, alongside stronger efforts to prevent further loss of life along dangerous migration routes.

The agency's appeal comes as the latest shipwreck adds to the mounting humanitarian concerns surrounding migration across the Gulf of Aden, where treacherous sea conditions and unsafe boats continue to place thousands of lives at risk.

For the families of those killed or missing, the disaster has brought fresh grief and uncertainty, with dozens of people still unaccounted for following the capsizing.