A vessel carrying more than 150 migrants capsized off Yemen’s southern coast, leaving at least 68 dead and dozens missing, according to humanitarian officials. The boat sank near Abyan province amid rough seas, with only 12 survivors rescued so far.
Most of the victims are thought to be Ethiopian nationals attempting the treacherous journey from the Horn of Africa to Gulf nations in search of employment. The route, frequently used by human traffickers, has become increasingly deadly, with hundreds reported dead or missing in similar incidents this year alone.
Local authorities have launched an extensive search operation, recovering bodies along a stretch of shoreline. A representative from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) described the area as a high-risk smuggling corridor, urging governments to expand legal migration channels to reduce reliance on dangerous, illicit routes.
“Strengthening safe and regulated pathways is crucial to prevent exploitation by smugglers,” the official stated. “Too many lives are lost because people are forced into these perilous journeys.”
The Gulf of Aden crossing is among the world’s most hazardous migration routes. Earlier this year, two boats carrying over 180 people sank near Yemen’s Dhubab district, with only two survivors. Reports from migrants in Yemen also indicate that smugglers are increasingly taking reckless measures, such as sending boats into dangerous weather to evade patrols.
Despite the risks, migration continues unabated, with more than 60,000 arrivals recorded in Yemen in 2024. Over the past decade, at least 3,400 migrants have died or disappeared along this route, with drowning accounting for nearly half the fatalities.
Yemen’s ongoing civil war, now in its tenth year, has further destabilized the region. The Houthi movement, which controls much of the country’s northwest, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving migrants even more vulnerable.
The tragedy underscores the urgent need for international cooperation to address unsafe migration and combat human trafficking networks. Without viable alternatives, desperate individuals will continue to risk their lives in pursuit of survival and opportunity.
