In brief
The International Organization for Migration reports multiple migrant boats have capsized off Yemen and Djibouti, resulting in at least two fatalities and 186 people still unaccounted for, in a deadly reminder of the dangers faced by those seeking work in Gulf countries.
CAIRO — A tragic incident unfolded off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti as at least two lives were lost and 186 individuals remain missing following the capsizing of four migrant boats. The International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.) provided updates on the situation on Friday, revealing the dire conditions faced by those attempting to reach Gulf nations.The incident occurred late Thursday night, with two boats capsizing near Yemen. Tamim Eleian, the spokesman for the I.O.M., confirmed that while two crew members were rescued, 181 migrants and five Yemeni crew members are still missing. Simultaneously, two other boats capsized off Djibouti, where two migrant bodies were recovered, although all remaining passengers were rescued. Abdusattor Esoev, the I.O.M. mission head in Yemen, indicated that strong winds played a vital role in the capsizing of the vessels near Djibouti's beach. The vessels that capsized off Yemen were carrying migrants from Ethiopia, including 31 individuals plus three crew members, and another boat with a staggering 150 Ethiopian migrants and four Yemeni crew members heading towards Ahwar district in Abyan governorate. Yemen has become a crucial passage for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, with hundreds of thousands now attempting this perilous route annually to find work in the Gulf states. In 2023 alone, around 97,200 migrants reached Yemen, a significant surge compared to the 2021 figures which were only a third of this number. Despite the dangerous journey, these migration patterns persist, with smugglers often supplying overcrowded boats for the treacherous crossing of the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. Recent reports from the I.O.M. indicate that at least 2,082 migrants have disappeared along this route over the last decade, with 693 confirmed as having drowned. Currently, there are approximately 380,000 migrants residing in Yemen, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
