The IOM reports that 139 people, including 15 children, died when the vessel sank north of Obock on Oct 8‑9, and 84 are still missing. Of the 109 bodies recovered, 52 were men, 42 women and 15 children, nine girls and six boys.
More than 80 people survived the wreck; all were Ethiopian nationals, with 64 already receiving aid at a migrant centre in Obock. Survivors said the boat started sinking backward as soon as they boarded.
IOM chief of mission Alexandre Coissac told AFP that the vessel "started to sink backwards as soon as they got in" and called the loss "devastating". He added that IOM teams were on the ground with Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency aid.
The IOM notes that 178,000 people arrived in Djibouti from Ethiopia between January and October, and 20,000 crossings have occurred since Sept 10. It added that 150 of the 305 passengers had previously been turned back from Yemen before attempting the journey again.
The IOM has urged donors and partners to bolster Djibouti's response, including search and rescue operations and life‑saving assistance.
Djiboutian authorities continue rescue operations while the IOM monitors the situation and calls for increased international aid.