At least 76 people have died and dozens remain missing following a tragic boat accident off the coast of Yemen, highlighting once again the deadly risks migrants face on the perilous sea route to the Gulf. The vessel, carrying 157 people mostly Ethiopian migrants sank on Sunday while en route to Abyan governorate in southern Yemen.
Yemeni security officials confirmed that 76 bodies had been recovered, while 32 survivors were rescued. Some of the survivors have since been transferred to the port city of Aden. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) described the incident as one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks off Yemen in 2024.
Despite years of civil war and humanitarian crises, Yemen remains a key transit point for migrants, especially from Ethiopia, which continues to experience ethnic and political unrest. The so-called “Eastern Route,” which spans from Djibouti across the Red Sea to Yemen, is a treacherous journey frequently controlled by smugglers and human traffickers. According to IOM, 558 migrants died on this route in 2023 alone 462 of them in boat accidents.
The Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic waterway for global trade, have become deadly passageways for those seeking better opportunities in oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Migrants often embark on these dangerous trips out of desperation, with no legal migration channels available and families dependent on remittances.
“This route is predominantly controlled by smugglers… Refugees and migrants have no other alternative but to hire their services,” said Ayla Bonfiglio of the Mixed Migration Centre. “They are aware of the risks, but feel they have no choice.”
The Vatican, through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, conveyed Pope Francis’ deep sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing the devastating loss of life.
The IOM continues to warn of the dire humanitarian situation for migrants in Yemen, many of whom become stranded and are exposed to abuse, exploitation, or violence. In April, over 60 migrants were killed in an airstrike on a detention centre, further underscoring the dangers they face even after reaching Yemeni soil.
