Refugees and migrants are taking the perilous sea route despite the dangers .
At least 68 migrants and refugees have died after their boat sank off Yemen’s coast. The deadly incident happened near the province of Abyan, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM). Rescue teams are still searching for 74 people who remain missing.
Overcrowded Boat Ends in Tragedy
The ill-fated vessel was carrying 154 Ethiopians when it capsized. Only 12 people survived the shipwreck. IOM chief in Yemen, Abdusattor Esoev, confirmed the grim toll. He stated that 54 bodies were recovered in Khanfar district, while 14 more were found and moved to a nearby hospital.
Authorities earlier reported 54 deaths. That number later rose as more bodies were discovered.
Burial Arrangements Underway
Local health officials are working to manage the crisis. Abdul Qader Bajamil, director of Zanzibar’s health office, said the victims would be buried near Shaqra city. Search efforts are still ongoing, though weather and water conditions make the task challenging.
A Perilous Migration Route
The sea between the Horn of Africa and Yemen has long been used by migrants. Many risk the journey to flee conflict or poverty, hoping for better lives in the Gulf countries. Some, especially from Somalia and Ethiopia, also stop in Yemen for refuge.
The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are among the world’s most dangerous migration routes. Smugglers cram boats with desperate travelers, ignoring safety.
Numbers Show a Grim Pattern
The IOM reports that over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen so far in 2024. That’s a drop from 97,200 in 2023. The fall is linked to increased patrols and stricter controls.
Despite this, the route remains deadly. Last year alone, 558 people lost their lives trying to cross. Over the last ten years, at least 2,082 people vanished along this journey. Of those, 693 are confirmed to have drowned.
Conflict Drives Desperate Journeys
Yemen itself has been in turmoil since 2014. The civil war forced thousands of Yemenis to flee, many using the same dangerous sea route. A truce between Houthi rebels and government forces in April 2022 brought some relief. Yet, the country’s humanitarian crisis is far from over.
While Yemen is often seen as a transit point, it currently hosts about 380,000 migrants and refugees. Most come from neighboring African nations, escaping war, hunger, and poverty.
Urgent Calls for Action
The IOM continues to urge global attention to the dangers migrants face. Human smugglers exploit vulnerable people, putting lives at risk. Aid organizations are calling for stronger measures to prevent further tragedies at sea.
This latest disaster off Yemen’s coast is a stark reminder of the human cost of unsafe migration routes. More coordinated efforts are needed to offer safer alternatives and protect those forced to flee.
