At least 76 migrants have died and dozens more remain missing after an overcrowded boat carrying mostly Ethiopian nationals capsized off the southern coast of Yemen, in the latest tragedy along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
According to Yemeni security officials, the disaster occurred off the coast of Abyan governorate in the Gulf of Aden, a key transit point for African migrants attempting to reach the oil-rich Gulf states.
The boat was reportedly carrying 157 people when it sank. So far, only 32 survivors have been rescued, while recovery efforts continue for the many still unaccounted for.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the vessel was part of the so-called “Eastern Route,” a perilous journey migrants make from the Horn of Africa, particularly from Ethiopia and Djibouti, across the Red Sea to Yemen.
Despite Yemen’s ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis, thousands of migrants still attempt this crossing each year in search of work and safety in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
IOM’s chief of mission in Yemen, Abdusattor Esoev, confirmed to AFP that the fate of many onboard remains unknown, and search operations are ongoing.
The IOM had initially reported a death toll of 68, but Yemeni authorities later confirmed at least 76 bodies had been recovered.
Survivors from the wreck have been transferred to the port city of Aden, which lies near Abyan. Yemeni security forces are also continuing operations to retrieve bodies from the sea.
This latest tragedy underscores the growing humanitarian toll on the Eastern migration corridor. In 2023 alone, the IOM recorded at least 558 deaths on this route, with over 460 caused by boat accidents.
The danger is further compounded by the involvement of human traffickers and smugglers, who often force migrants into unseaworthy vessels.
Last month, at least eight migrants drowned when smugglers forced passengers overboard in the Red Sea, illustrating the brutal tactics often employed during these journeys.
Once in Yemen, many migrants find themselves stranded and at further risk of abuse, exploitation, and violence. In April, over 60 people were killed in a deadly airstrike on a migrant detention center in Huthi-controlled territory, with Yemen’s rebels blaming the United States.
Despite these dangers, the Gulf monarchies continue to attract large numbers of foreign laborers, including migrants from South Asia and Africa, who often undertake desperate measures for a chance at better livelihoods.
The IOM has called for greater international cooperation and urgent humanitarian assistance to address the dire conditions driving such deadly migration and to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations on the move.
