At least 68 migrants have died after a boat carrying approximately 157 people capsized in rough weather off Yemen’s southern coast near Abyan province, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The vessel sank on Sunday as it attempted a perilous journey often used by smugglers operating along this stretch of the Arabian Sea. IOM’s Yemen chief, Abdusattor Esoev, confirmed that only 12 people had been rescued, while dozens remain missing. Most of the victims are believed to be Ethiopian nationals.
Perilous Route Across the Arabian Sea
Yemen continues to be a key transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea. Many attempt to cross the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, aiming to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states in search of work. The IOM has labeled this migration path as one of the busiest and most dangerous routes globally.
In recent months, the IOM has recorded hundreds of fatalities due to similar shipwrecks. In March 2024, two boats carrying over 180 people sank off Yemen’s Dhubab district, with only two crew members surviving. Migrants have reported that smugglers are increasingly taking risks to avoid detection, including sailing in rough seas and poor weather conditions.
Abyan security officials said a large-scale search-and-rescue operation was launched following Sunday’s tragedy, with bodies found scattered along a wide coastal area.
Calls for Safer Legal Pathways
The IOM is calling on member states to enhance legal migration frameworks to protect vulnerable populations from being exploited by people smugglers.
“What we are advocating for all member states is to enhance their regular pathways,” said Abdusattor Esoev. “So people can take legal ways in order to migrate, instead of being trapped or deceived by smugglers and taking those dangerous journeys.”
In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants have arrived in Yemen despite the ongoing conflict. Yemen’s civil war, now in its second decade, continues to destabilize the region. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement has controlled much of north-western Yemen since 2014, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
Since 2014, the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project has recorded more than 3,400 deaths along this maritime route, including 1,400 from drowning. The agency continues to call for stronger international coordination to prevent further tragedies.
