Djibouti Boat Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 139, 84 Missing

Djibouti City: The death toll from the sinking of a boat carrying more than 300 migrants off the coast of the East African nation of Djibouti has risen to 139. Another 84 people remain missing, while more than 80 have been rescued. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said 15 children were among those killed.

The toll includes bodies officially buried by the authorities. Some other victims were buried by fellow migrants travelling on the boat. They were laid to rest in mass graves without even their names being recorded.

The disaster occurred late Friday night in the northern part of the city of Obock in Djibouti. The boat was travelling from Djibouti to Yemen when it sank after carrying more passengers than its capacity.

Thousands of people from across Africa attempt to migrate to Gulf countries through Djibouti and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in search of a safer life. The IOM said migration towards Yemen continues despite the country's ongoing internal conflict.