At least 49 people lost their lives and 140 went missing after a boat carrying refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa to Yemen sank, according to Al Jazeera, citing the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The vessel, which capsized on Monday, was carrying approximately 260 people, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia. They had departed from the northern coast of Somalia, attempting a perilous 320km (200 miles) journey across the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen.
Refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa and East Africa increasingly undertake this dangerous journey to reach Saudi Arabia and other Arab states via Yemen, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The IOM issued a statement on Tuesday, confirming that 71 people had been rescued, with eight taken to the hospital. Tragically, those who perished included at least six children and 31 women.
In a similar incident earlier in April, at least 62 people died in two shipwrecks off the coast of Djibouti as they attempted to reach Yemen.
The IOM further reported that at least 1,860 people have died or disappeared along this route, including 480 who drowned.
Despite the nearly decade-long war in Yemen, which began after the Houthi group seized control of large areas of the country, including the capital, Sanaa, migration along this route has persisted. The conflict has caused devastating effects, yet more refugees and migrants continue to risk their lives.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has also not deterred the flow of migrants. For months, the Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked commercial and military vessels in the Gulf of Aden, demanding that Israel end the war on Gaza. In response, the United States and the United Kingdom have conducted air raids on Yemen to protect international interests.
IOM spokesperson Mohammedali Abunajela stated, “The sinking of the boat on Monday is another reminder of the urgent need to work together to address migration challenges and ensure the safety and security of migrants along migration routes.”
Last month, the IOM highlighted that the number of migrants arriving in Yemen had tripled annually from 2021 to 2023, rising from about 27,000 to more than 90,000. Additionally, the agency reported that approximately 380,000 migrants are currently in Yemen.
