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Djibouti · Survival · Catastrophic · impact 1 of 5
First reported 21 October 2026 · latest 21 October 2026 · 1 reports from 1 outlet
One development in Djibouti-Yemen migrant boat wreck
A migrant boat capsized off Djibouti, leaving at least 139 people dead and 84 missing. The deaths deepen risks on sea migration routes already marked by repeated mass loss of life.
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Smugglers received as little as $170 per person for transport across the Northwest African Atlantic route, a dangerous maritime path where people travel in open boats from the coasts of Northwest Africa to Spain s Canary Islands. The report found that around 190,000 to 209,000 people were smuggled along the four main sea routes to Europe in 2025. The busiest smuggling route was the Central Mediterranean route (84,000 to 100,400 people), followed by the Eastern Mediterranean (48,400 to 51,300), which runs from Türkiye, Libya and the Middle East towards Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria.
The busiest smuggling route was the Central Mediterranean route (84,000 to 100,400 people), followed by the Eastern Mediterranean (48,400 to 51,300), which runs from Türkiye, Libya and the Middle East towards Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria. The Northwest African Atlantic came third, with 33,000 people smuggled, followed lastly by the Western Mediterranean route (24,500) which connects North and West Africa to Spain. Many of the people who paid these fees to get smuggled to Europe did not arrive at the destination, according to the UN.
Many of the people who paid these fees to get smuggled to Europe did not arrive at the destination, according to the UN. Among all those departing on the sea routes in 2025, 3,404 lost their lives or were reported missing. Another 104,200 people were intercepted at sea and returned.
On the Western Mediterranean route, 57 to 90 per cent were smuggled, and on the Eastern Mediterranean route, it oscillated between 75 and 90 per cent. At least 139 migrants have died after their boat capsized off Djibouti, with a further 84 people still missing, the UN migration agency (IOM) said on Sunday. A teenage girl who fled war-torn Sudan for neighbouring Egypt and hopes to pursue a technology degree is an example of why countries must ensure that young refugees can continue to learn.
On the Western Mediterranean route, 57 to 90 per cent were smuggled, and on the Eastern Mediterranean route, it oscillated between 75 and 90 per cent. At least 139 migrants have died after their boat capsized off Djibouti, with a further 84 people still missing, the UN migration agency (IOM) said on Sunday. A teenage girl who fled war-torn Sudan for neighbouring Egypt and hopes to pursue a technology degree is an example of why countries must ensure that young refugees can continue to learn.
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