Tragic Capsizing of Migrant Boat Leaves Over 50 Dead Off Yemen's Coast

More than 50 migrants have tragically died after their boat capsized off Yemen, highlighting the dangers of perilous migration routes.

A boat carrying around 150 migrants sank in the Gulf of Aden off the southern province of Abyan, Yemen, during stormy conditions this past Sunday. Local authorities confirmed that only 10 individuals were rescued, with dozens still unaccounted for and presumed lost at sea. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that most of the deceased are believed to be Ethiopian nationals.

IOM Yemen's chief, Abdusattor Esoev, reported that the grim discovery of 54 bodies occurred onshore in the Khanfar district, while 14 others were taken to a local hospital morgue in Zinjibar. The Abyan security directorate has launched an extensive search and rescue operation, revealing a wide spread of deceased bodies along the shoreline.

A spokesperson for the IOM remarked on their profound sorrow over the "tragic loss of life," stressing the critical need for increased protections for migrants who often embark on such perilous journeys under the influence of unscrupulous smugglers. The spokesperson remarked, "This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced protection mechanisms for migrants undertaking perilous journeys, often facilitated by unscrupulous smugglers who exploit desperation and vulnerability."

The IOM previously labeled the route from the Horn of Africa through to Yemen as one of the busiest and most perilous for mixed migration. Just last March, two vessels carrying over 180 migrants similarly sank, with little hope for the passengers as only two crew members survived.

Despite the inherent risks, more than 60,000 migrants have arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, drawn by the prospect of work in the Gulf Arab states. The IOM's Missing Migrants Project notes a staggering total of over 3,400 individuals have been reported dead or missing along this perilous route over the past decade, with drowning accounting for some 1,400 of those tragedies.