At least 68 people were killed Sunday after a boat carrying about 150 migrants overturned in the Arabian Sea close to Yemen’s Abyan province.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that dozens of survivors are still missing and that only 12 have been rescued.
The majority of the passengers on the ship were Ethiopians trying to reach Gulf states in search of better prospects. The incident has been called “heartbreaking” by the IOM, highlighting the grave risks that migrants encounter in the area.
Among the world’s worst paths
For many years, migrants from the Horn of Africa have used Yemen’s southern coast as a major route to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Yemen is still a transit hub for thousands of people trying to make ends meet despite being a war-torn country.
In 2024 alone, almost 60,000 migrants entered Yemen, according to IOM figures. But the trip is dangerous since smugglers frequently take risks on high seas and use ill-equipped boats to evade patrols. It is regarded as one of the busiest and riskiest mixed migration routes in the world.
Rescue and search operations are in progress.
A massive search and rescue effort has been started by the local authorities. Fourteen migrants were taken to a morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital, while the bodies of fifty-four migrants were discovered in Khanfar district. The recovery of bodies across a large coastal area has been confirmed by Yemen’s Abyan security directorate.
Rescue and recovery operations are being actively supported by the IOM.
The head of IOM Yemen, Abdusattor Esoev, underlined the pressing need for safer travel routes and enhanced legal protections.
Increased smugglers’ exploitation
The tragedy serves as a reminder of the threats posed by smugglers and human traffickers. People-smugglers are getting more careless, intentionally launching boats into dangerous waters to evade detection, according to the IOM.
An IOM official stated, “This tragic event highlights the urgent need for improved protection mechanisms for migrants.” “Vulnerability and desperation of those seeking a better life are still exploited by dishonest smugglers.”
All member states are being urged by IOM authorities to increase options for lawful migration. In order to prevent people from having to use risky travel routes, Mr. Esoev emphasized the significance of establishing regular and secure migration routes.
The Missing Migrants Project has documented approximately 3,400 deaths and disappearances along this route between 2014 and 2024, including over 1,400 drowning-related deaths.
