Tragic End to a Dangerous Journey
At least 68 migrants died after a crowded boat carrying over 150 people capsized in the Gulf of Aden, off the southern coast of Yemen.

Many Missing, Only 12 Survivors Found
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the incident occurred on Sunday near Abyan province due to rough seas. Only 12 people have been rescued, and many others remain missing.

Most Victims Believed to Be Ethiopian Nationals
The majority of those on board were believed to be from Ethiopia, attempting to reach Gulf countries in search of work.

Yemen: A Risky Transit Route for African Migrants
Yemen remains a major migration corridor for people from the Horn of Africa—particularly Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti—heading to the Gulf.

Search and Recovery Efforts Underway
Yemeni security officials launched a wide-scale rescue mission. Dozens of bodies have been recovered along the coastline.

UN Calls for Safer Legal Migration Pathways
IOM Yemen chief Abdusattor Esoev urged countries to expand legal migration options, stressing that many migrants are exploited by smugglers due to lack of safe alternatives.

One of the World’s Most Dangerous Migration Routes
The Gulf of Aden route is considered one of the busiest and deadliest migration corridors. In March, two similar incidents near Yemen’s Dhubab coast claimed more lives.

Smugglers Ignoring Safety and Weather Warnings
Reports from the IOM indicate that smugglers are increasingly sending migrants to sea in unsafe conditions to avoid detection by patrols.

Despite Dangers, Migration Continues
Over 60,000 migrants have arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, highlighting the desperation and ongoing flow despite known risks.

Over 3,400 Dead or Missing in a Decade
IOM’s Missing Migrants Project reports that more than 3,400 people have died or disappeared on this route in the past ten years, including at least 1,400 by drowning.

Ongoing Civil War in Yemen Increases Migrant Risk
Yemen’s decade-long civil war adds to the danger. Since 2014, the Houthi movement has controlled much of the country’s northwest, worsening the already unstable conditions for migrants.