A boat carrying migrants from the Horn of Africa region capsized off the coast of Yemen on Monday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 39 lives.
The catastrophic event was confirmed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and local authorities. The ill-fated boat, which was transporting approximately 260 migrants, succumbed to the relentless forces of strong winds, ultimately sinking and leaving its passengers stranded in treacherous waters. While 71 individuals were successfully rescued, the fate of the remaining 150 migrants remains uncertain as search and rescue efforts continue unabated. The IOM has mobilized resources to provide essential aid and support to the survivors.
According to local officials in Rudum, a district situated east of Aden, the majority of the passengers on board the capsized vessel were Ethiopian migrants. Yemen has become a transit point for these individuals who risk their lives in the hope of reaching the Gulf states as they seek safety and economic prospects beyond the turmoil of their homelands. Local fishermen and residents played an instrumental role in saving survivors from the wreckage. However, their accounts suggest that numerous migrants remain unaccounted for.
Rudum district Director Hadi al-Khurma emphasizes the urgency of the ongoing search efforts as every moment is crucial in the face of this tragedy. The dangerous journey undertaken by these migrants is not an isolated incident. Despite the ongoing armed conflict in Yemen and recent Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the number of migrants arriving from the Horn of Africa continues to rise alarmingly. According to statistics, approximately 97,000 migrants braved the treacherous journey to Yemen in 2023 alone.
