The shipwreck occurred Thursday (August 17) night in Godonoria near the coastal town of Obock, according to reports by the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM). The boat was carrying around 60 migrants, including 18 women and at least 2 children under 18 years old.

11 bodies have been recovered and 26 migrants have been rescued so far. 24 remain missing.

Deaths rise on route from Djibouti coast towards Gulf of Aden

"The search for survivors and rescue operations are still underway, conducted by the Djiboutian authorities," IOM reported, noting that "every year, more than 200,000 migrants make the perilous journey from Djibouti's coast across the Gulf of Aden where the vessel ran into trouble."

"Deaths along this route have increased in the past months at sea and on land," IOM reported. "According to IOM's Missing Migrants Project, at least 417 people have lost their lives on migration routes in Djibouti since 2014. Despite the dangers, the number of Ethiopian migrants arriving in Djibouti from the Arabian peninsula and from Ethiopia continues to grow."

"This is a terrible tragedy and a sign of the immense challenges faced by migrants and host communities along this route. IOM is working with the Djiboutian authorities and donors to respond to the needs of those affected by this incident, supporting the local authorities' efforts," said IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, Tanja Pacifico.