More than 65 refugees and migrants die in boat sinking off Yemeni coast

More than 65 refugees and migrants die in boat sinking off Yemeni coast

At least 68 African refugees and migrants have died and 74 others remain missing following a boat capsizing off the coast of Yemen, according to the United Nations migration agency. The incident occurred in the province of Abyan, where a vessel carrying 154 Ethiopians overturned.

Abdusattor Esoev, head of the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, reported that 12 individuals survived the disaster. He noted that the bodies of 54 refugees and migrants were found on the shores of the Khanfar district, while 14 others were discovered at another location and transported to a hospital morgue. Earlier, Yemeni health authorities had confirmed that 54 people had perished.

Abdul Qader Bajamil, director of the health office in Zanzibar, stated that authorities are arranging for the burial of the victims near the city of Shaqra. Ongoing search efforts continue despite challenging conditions.

The waterways between Yemen and the Horn of Africa serve as a common but dangerous route for refugees and migrants traveling in both directions. Since the outbreak of the civil war in 2014, there has been an increase in Yemenis fleeing the country. In April 2022, a truce between Houthi rebels and government forces helped reduce violence and eased the humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, many individuals escaping conflict in Africa, particularly from Somalia and Ethiopia, have sought refuge in Yemen or attempted to cross the country toward wealthier Gulf nations. This route is considered one of the “busiest and most perilous” migration corridors globally, according to the IOM.

Migrants and refugees often travel on overcrowded and unsafe boats across the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden, typically under the guidance of smugglers. In 2024, over 60,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Yemen, representing a significant decline from the 97,200 recorded in 2023. This decrease is attributed to increased patrols in the region, as outlined in an IOM report released in May.

The route remains deadly, with more than 558 deaths reported along it in the past year alone. Over the last decade, at least 2,082 people have gone missing, including 693 known to have drowned. Currently, Yemen is home to approximately 380,000 refugees and migrants.