The tragic sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Yemen has resulted in the deaths of at least 49 people and left 140 others missing. The boat, carrying around 260 individuals primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia, was attempting the perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden from the northern coast of Somalia to Yemen, according to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This incident is part of a broader trend where increasing numbers of refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa and East Africa are risking their lives to reach Yemen, despite the country’s ongoing civil war and instability. These individuals aim to travel through Yemen to reach Gulf states like Saudi Arabia for better economic opportunities.
The IOM has highlighted that 71 people were rescued, with eight requiring hospitalization. Among the dead were 31 women and six children. This tragic event follows other deadly shipwrecks, such as the two in April off the coast of Djibouti that claimed at least 62 lives. The IOM reports that since the start of these migrations, at least 1,860 people have died or disappeared along the route, including 480 who drowned.
Despite Yemen’s nearly decade-long civil war, the number of migrants arriving in the country has surged, tripling from about 27,000 in 2021 to over 90,000 in 2023. Currently, approximately 380,000 migrants are in Yemen. The conflict, involving the Houthi group and other factions, further complicates the already dangerous journey, with recent attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Aden linked to broader geopolitical tensions.
The IOM has called for urgent international cooperation to address the migration challenges and ensure the safety and security of migrants along these perilous routes. This latest disaster underscores the dire need for comprehensive measures to protect vulnerable populations seeking refuge and better opportunities amidst dire circumstances.
