Abyan, Yemen – At least 68 Ethiopian migrants have died and dozens remain missing after a crowded smuggling boat capsized off the southern coast of Yemen, in what authorities are calling one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in recent months.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat was carrying around 154 migrants from Somalia, attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden en route to the Gulf states. The vessel overturned near Ras al-Arah, a coastal area in Yemen’s Abyan province, early Sunday.
Local officials reported that 54 bodies were recovered in the Khanfar district, while another 14 were found near Zinjibar, the provincial capital. Only 12 survivors have been rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, many in critical condition.
Dangerous Migration Route Claims More Lives
The tragedy underscores the extreme risks faced by African migrants who continue to embark on perilous sea journeys from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, often as a transit point to wealthier Gulf nations in search of work.
Despite ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen, the country remains a key passage on one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants are estimated to have arrived in Yemen by sea, many trafficked or misled by smugglers.
The IOM has launched a search and rescue mission, warning that such disasters will persist unless safer migration channels are established and regional cooperation is strengthened.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.