The International Organization for Migration expressed its concerns about the possibility of 35 migrants drowning in the Gulf of Aden after their boat sank in Jodoria near the coastal town of Obok in northeastern Djibouti.

The organization mentioned in a statement that there were about 60 migrants on board when the boat sank the night before last, noting that 26 people have been rescued so far, and 11 bodies have been recovered, while more than 24 migrants remain missing.

It also added that search operations are still ongoing, suggesting that the death toll may be much higher due to the risks, and indicating that death rates along this route have increased in recent months both at sea and on land, with at least 417 people having died there since 2014.