Dozens of Migrants Dead in Tragic Boat Capsize Off Yemen’s Coast
At least 68 migrants perish as boat sinks in the Gulf of Aden, with many feared lost
SANA’A, Yemen – In a heartbreaking incident off Yemen’s southern coast, at least 68 migrants have tragically lost their lives after a boat carrying over 150 people capsized in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday. The vessel sank in the province of Abyan, amid severe weather conditions that led to the loss of life.
According to Abdusattor Esoev, the Yemen chief for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat had been carrying approximately 157 people. Twelve survivors were rescued, but many others remain unaccounted for. Most of the victims are believed to be Ethiopian nationals, as confirmed by the IOM.
Yemen has long been a primary transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa, especially those seeking work opportunities in the Gulf states. However, the journey has proven perilous, with numerous fatalities reported in recent months as migrants take dangerous routes under the control of people smugglers.
IOM officials reported that a large-scale search-and-rescue operation was launched in response to the sinking, with many bodies discovered along the shoreline. Despite the ongoing efforts, the number of missing persons remains uncertain.
“The boat was on a hazardous route commonly used by people smugglers,” explained Abdusattor Esoev. “This area is notoriously treacherous, and migrants often take these risks due to the lack of legal migration pathways.”
Esoev highlighted the pressing need to strengthen legal safeguards for migrants, urging governments to provide safer, legal migration options to prevent people from being exploited by smugglers. “What we are advocating for all member states is to enhance regular migration pathways so people can migrate safely, avoiding the dangers posed by human traffickers and dangerous sea journeys.”
This tragic incident follows other boat disasters in the region. In March of this year, two boats carrying over 180 migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen’s Dhubab district, resulting in only two survivors. Smugglers, seeking to avoid detection, have reportedly become more reckless, knowingly sending boats into dangerous conditions.
The IOM has recorded over 3,400 deaths and disappearances along this perilous migration route over the past decade, with many caused by drowning. Despite these dangers, the flow of migrants continues, with more than 60,000 people arriving in Yemen in 2024 alone.
Yemen, embroiled in a decade-long civil war, remains a dangerous and unstable region. Since 2014, the Houthi movement, backed by Iran, has controlled much of north-western Yemen, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing migrant crisis in Yemen and the urgent need for reform in global migration policies.
