At Least 68 Refugees and Migrants Dead in Boat Sinking Off Yemen Coast

At least 68 refugees and migrants, primarily Ethiopians, have tragically lost their lives, and 74 others remain missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Yemen’s Abyan province. The incident, reported by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM), occurred over the weekend and is the latest in a series of deadly incidents along this dangerous migration route. According to Abdusattor Esoev, the IOM’s chief in Yemen, the vessel was carrying 154 individuals when it overturned. Only 12 people survived the ordeal, while dozens of bodies have since been recovered from various coastal areas.

Fifty-four bodies were found washed ashore in the Khanfar district, and another 14 were discovered at different locations and subsequently transported to a hospital morgue. Yemeni health officials had earlier confirmed the death toll at 54. Abdul Qader Bajamil, the director of the health office in Zanzibar, stated that authorities are arranging for the burial of the victims near the city of Shaqra. Meanwhile, search efforts continue under challenging weather and sea conditions, raising fears that the number of casualties may rise.

The sea route between Yemen and the Horn of Africa remains one of the busiest and most perilous migration corridors globally. Despite its dangers, it continues to be heavily trafficked by refugees and migrants due to a combination of factors — ongoing conflicts, economic hardship, and the hope of reaching safer or more prosperous destinations. Many who embark on this journey come from war-torn or impoverished regions of Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Somalia, and aim either to seek asylum in Yemen or transit through the country to reach wealthy Gulf nations.

The situation in Yemen itself remains fragile. The civil war that began in 2014 led to widespread displacement, with many Yemenis fleeing the country. However, a truce agreement between the Houthi rebels and Yemeni government forces in April 2022 helped reduce the intensity of the conflict, resulting in a relative decrease in violence and a modest improvement in the overall humanitarian situation. Still, conditions remain harsh, both for Yemenis and for migrants arriving from abroad.

Smugglers play a significant role in this ongoing migration crisis. Migrants are frequently transported in overcrowded, poorly equipped boats across the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden. These journeys are fraught with risk, and many vessels are not seaworthy. According to IOM data, more than 60,000 migrants and refugees arrived in Yemen in 2024, a notable decrease from 97,200 the previous year. The drop in numbers has been attributed to increased maritime patrols and efforts to combat human smuggling.

Despite these measures, the death toll remains alarming. The IOM reported that 558 people died on this route in 2024 alone. Over the past decade, at least 2,082 individuals have gone missing, including 693 who are confirmed to have drowned. Currently, Yemen hosts an estimated 380,000 refugees and migrants, reflecting the country’s complex position as both a transit and destination point in the global migration landscape.

This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to address the root causes of migration, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure safer, legal migration pathways.