More than 50 migrants lost their lives when a boat carrying around 150 people sank in treacherous waters off Yemen’s southern province of Abyan on Sunday. Local authorities reported that only 10 individuals were rescued and many remain unaccounted for. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is particularly distressed by the incident, as it highlights the perilous journeys migrants endure in their quest for better opportunities.
Tragic Capsizing Claims Lives of Migrants Off Yemen Coast
Tragic Capsizing Claims Lives of Migrants Off Yemen Coast
Over 50 migrants have died in a tragic incident involving a capsized boat in the Gulf of Aden.
The boat's capsizing off the coast of Yemen has led to a devastating toll, with local authorities indicating that the victims are primarily Ethiopian nationals. As the IOM confirmed, the bodies of 54 migrants were found along the shoreline in the Khanfar district, while 14 were taken to a nearby morgue in Zinjibar. IOM Yemen chief, Abdusattor Esoev, reiterated the urgency for improved protections for vulnerable migrants who often succumb to the dangers posed by smugglers and harsh conditions.
The IOM has not only described the route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen as "one of the busiest and most perilous" but has also noted that many migrants have perished in recent months due to similar incidents. The organization previously reported that two boats had sunk in March with over 180 migrants on board, a stark reminder of the risks these journeys entail.
Despite the dangers, countless migrants persist in making the voyage to Yemen in hopes of finding work in Gulf Arab states. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants have reportedly arrived in Yemen. Over the last decade, the IOM has recorded more than 3,400 deaths or disappearances along this perilous route, emphasizing the desperate circumstances driving migration.
The IOM has not only described the route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen as "one of the busiest and most perilous" but has also noted that many migrants have perished in recent months due to similar incidents. The organization previously reported that two boats had sunk in March with over 180 migrants on board, a stark reminder of the risks these journeys entail.
Despite the dangers, countless migrants persist in making the voyage to Yemen in hopes of finding work in Gulf Arab states. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants have reportedly arrived in Yemen. Over the last decade, the IOM has recorded more than 3,400 deaths or disappearances along this perilous route, emphasizing the desperate circumstances driving migration.
