Over 60 Migrants Dead After Boat Capsizes Off Yemen Coast
A tragic incident occurred on Sunday when a boat carrying African migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 individuals and leaving 74 others missing. The vessel, which was transporting 154 Ethiopian migrants, sank in the Gulf of Aden near the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, as reported by the United Nations’ migration agency.
According to Abdusattor Esoev, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, the bodies of 54 migrants were discovered on the shores of Khanfar, while an additional 14 were found deceased and taken to a hospital morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan. Only 12 migrants survived the incident, with the remaining individuals presumed dead.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
In response to the tragedy, the Abyan security directorate initiated a large-scale search-and-rescue operation. Authorities reported that many of the deceased were found scattered over a broad area along the shore. The ongoing civil conflict in Yemen has made the nation a significant transit point for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, who seek to reach the wealthier Gulf Arab states in search of better opportunities.
This latest shipwreck is part of a troubling pattern, with hundreds of migrants having lost their lives or gone missing in similar incidents in recent months. A particularly devastating episode occurred in March, when two migrants died and 186 others were reported missing after four boats capsized off Yemen and Djibouti, according to IOM statistics.
Decline in Migrant Arrivals
Despite the ongoing challenges, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, a decrease from 97,200 in 2023. This decline may be attributed to increased patrolling of the waters, as highlighted in an IOM report published in March. Migrants often rely on smugglers to transport them across the dangerous waters of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, frequently utilizing overcrowded and unsafe vessels.
The loss of life in these tragic incidents underscores the perilous conditions faced by many migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in search of a better life. As the situation in Yemen continues to evolve, the international community remains faced with the urgent need to address the root causes of migration and ensure the safety of those seeking refuge.
