On Sunday, a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen’s southern Abyan province. There were around 150 people on board, most of whom are reported to be Ethiopian nationals. Due to bad weather, the boat overturned, killing more than 50 people. Only 10 people were rescued, while dozens remain missing.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) responded to the tragedy, stressing the need to strengthen safety measures for migrants. According to the organization, 54 bodies were found in Abyan’s Khanfar district, and 14 others were taken to the provincial capital’s hospital morgue.
Officials say large-scale search and rescue operations are ongoing. Local security services reported that bodies are still being found along the coastline and that efforts to locate the missing continue. This tragedy once again highlights the dangers along irregular migration routes.
Yemen remains a key transit point for thousands of migrants from East Africa seeking work in Gulf countries. In 2024 alone, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in the country. Over the past decade, more than 3,400 people have died or gone missing along the route, 1,400 of whom drowned.
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