Tragic Capsizing Claims Lives of 68 Ethiopian Migrants Off Yemen
A boat carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized early Sunday off the coast of Yemen’s Abyan province, leaving at least 68 confirmed dead and 74 others missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), reports 24brussels.
Only 12 survivors were rescued from the wreckage, marking one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region this year. The bodies of 54 victims were recovered along the shores of Khanfar district, while 14 others were transported to a morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital. Local authorities have launched a large-scale search-and-rescue operation, but officials fear the death toll may rise as efforts continue across a wide coastal area.
This tragedy highlights the extreme dangers associated with the Eastern Route, a migration corridor connecting the Horn of Africa to the Gulf states via Yemen. Thousands of migrants, primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia, continue to undertake this perilous journey each year in search of economic opportunities, despite its notorious risks.
According to the Mixed Migration Centre, migrants on this route face severe violence, abuse, exploitation, and life-threatening conditions, often traveling aboard overcrowded boats operated by smuggling networks. This route has reportedly claimed over 2,100 lives since 2014, with 558 deaths recorded in 2024 alone, making it the deadliest year on record.
In March, four boats capsized between Djibouti and Yemen, leaving 186 migrants missing, further underscoring the magnitude of the crisis. The IOM reported that over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, a decrease from 97,200 in 2023, likely due to increased patrols and deteriorating conditions.
Yemen’s ongoing civil war has exacerbated the situation, creating a governance vacuum that allows smuggling and trafficking networks to thrive. Migrants often find themselves caught between warring factions, with limited access to protection or humanitarian aid.
The IOM and various humanitarian agencies are urging for urgent regional cooperation to address the root causes of irregular migration, including poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunity. They emphasize the necessity for safe migration pathways and enhanced search-and-rescue capacity along the Eastern Route.
The loss of life in this recent shipwreck is a somber reminder of the human costs associated with migration driven by desperation. The international community faces increasing pressure to take coordinated action to prevent further tragedies and loss of life.
