More than 60 migrants died after a boat carrying over 150 people sank off Yemen’s southern coast on Sunday. The tragedy occurred in the Gulf of Aden near Abyan province, during rough weather.
Victims Believed to Be Mostly Ethiopian
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said most of the victims were Ethiopian nationals. So far, 68 bodies have been recovered. At least 12 people were rescued, but dozens are still missing.
The IOM called the incident “heartbreaking” and highlighted the growing dangers migrants face while trying to reach Gulf countries.
Perilous Journey from Africa to the Gulf
Migrants often use Yemen as a transit route to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The journey from the Horn of Africa is one of the busiest—and deadliest—migration routes in the world.
IOM Yemen Chief Abdusattor Esoev said the vessel was carrying about 157 people. Many of them were likely victims of human smuggling.
Bodies Found Along the Coastline
Authorities found 54 bodies washed ashore in Khanfar district. Fourteen more were recovered and taken to a hospital morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital. A large-scale rescue mission is still underway, according to the Abyan security directorate.
Smugglers Blamed for Dangerous Conditions
The IOM criticized smugglers for putting lives at risk. “This tragic loss of life highlights the need for stronger protections for migrants,” the agency said. They urged all countries to improve legal migration pathways and stop exploitation.
Esoev added that many migrants are deceived into taking these journeys and that legal migration options could help prevent such tragedies.
Previous Incidents on the Same Route
In March, two boats carrying 180 migrants sank in Yemen’s Dhubab district. Only two crew members were found alive. The rest were feared dead.
Reports from Migrant Response Points in Yemen reveal that smugglers are increasingly reckless. Some even send boats into dangerous weather to avoid detection.
Despite the risks, over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024. According to IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, more than 3,400 people have died or gone missing along this route in the last decade. Drowning alone accounts for over 1,400 of those deaths.
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