At least 76 people have died and dozens remain missing after a boat carrying mainly Ethiopian migrants sank off the coast of Yemen. The vessel, which was transporting 157 people, capsized in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen’s Abyan governorate—a common landing point for migrants attempting to reach the Gulf states. So far, 32 survivors have been rescued and some have been taken to Aden for medical care and assistance.
The International Organization for Migration, IOM, confirmed the tragedy, calling it one of many fatal incidents along what many call the Eastern Route, which thousands of migrants travel each year despite the dangers. Yemen, although being in the grip of a protracted civil war since 2014, continues to serve as a major transit point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia.
Last year alone, the IOM recorded over 550 migrant deaths along the Red Sea corridor, with the majority caused by boat accidents. Just weeks ago, at least eight people died when smugglers forced passengers into the sea. The latest disaster adds to growing concerns about the risks faced by migrants navigating one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
