Over 60 Migrants Dead After Boat Capsizes Near Yemen

A tragic shipwreck occurred off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 African migrants and leaving 74 others missing. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the incident involved a vessel carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants, which sank in the Gulf of Aden near the southern Yemeni province of Abyan.

According to Abdusattor Esoev, the head of the IOM in Yemen, the bodies of 54 migrants were found washed ashore in Khanfar, while an additional 14 were retrieved and taken to a morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital. Only 12 migrants survived the shipwreck, with the rest presumed dead. The Abyan security directorate launched a significant search-and-rescue operation due to the large number of fatalities and missing persons, stating that many bodies were discovered scattered along a vast stretch of shoreline.

Ongoing Crisis for Migrants

This tragedy is part of a broader crisis affecting migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, who often undertake perilous journeys in search of better opportunities in Gulf Arab nations. Despite Yemen’s ongoing civil war, it remains a critical transit point for these individuals. Smugglers frequently overload boats, placing migrants at great risk during their crossings of the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.

The IOM has noted a troubling trend, with hundreds of migrants losing their lives or going missing in various shipwrecks off Yemen in recent months. In March 2024 alone, two migrants died, and 186 others were reported missing after four boats capsized near Yemen and Djibouti. The organization reported that over 60,000 migrants had arrived in Yemen in 2024, a decrease from 97,200 in 2023, likely due to increased patrols in the region.

Global Response Needed

The loss of life underscores the urgent need for international attention and action regarding the plight of migrants undertaking these hazardous journeys. As conditions in their home countries continue to drive people to seek refuge and employment elsewhere, the risks associated with such migrations remain perilously high.

The IOM and other humanitarian organizations are calling for more robust measures to protect vulnerable migrants and to prevent further tragedies at sea. The situation demands a concerted effort from the global community to address the root causes of migration and to ensure safe passage for those seeking a better life.