DEATH TOLL FROM MIGRANT BOAT CAPSIZING RISES TO 139

SANA, OCTOBER 11 /SRNA/ – The International Organisation for Migration /IOM/, a United Nations agency, has reported that at least 139 people died when a boat carrying migrants, with approximately 305 people on board, capsized off the coast of Djibouti in northeastern Africa.

"This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face along this migration corridor as they attempt to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen and reach the Gulf countries," said Alexander Kojsak, head of the IOM mission in Djibouti.

He added that poverty, insecurity and the growing impacts of climate change are driving many people to undertake this journey despite increasing instability across the Middle East.

At least 84 people are still reported missing in what is considered one of the deadliest shipwrecks to date along the popular but dangerous route from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where many migrants seek employment in the wealthy Gulf countries.

Meanwhile, Djiboutian authorities are continuing search and rescue operations as fears grow for those who remain missing, Deutsche Welle reports.

Earlier reports stated that 109 people had died, including 15 children, while more than 116 people were reported missing after a migrant boat capsized while travelling from Djibouti to Yemen.