At least 139 migrants — including 15 children — were confirmed dead after a boat carrying 305 people from Djibouti toward Yemen capsized near Guhere, north of Obock.
IOM said the vessel sank shortly after departing on Oct. 8, mainly because it was overcrowded; more than 80 people survived and all survivors were Ethiopian nationals.
84 people were still missing as of Sunday, and the death toll could rise because the official count covers only bodies verified and buried by Djibouti authorities.
Survivors were taken to an IOM rescue center in Obock for medical treatment and psychological support after swallowing seawater and suffering shock.
The Horn of Africa-to-Arabian Peninsula route is a frequent but dangerous path for migrants seeking Gulf jobs; IOM says more than 900 died or went missing on it last year.