A tragic incident off the coast of Yemen resulted in the deaths of 68 African migrants and left 74 others missing after their boat capsized on March 10, 2024. According to the United Nations migration agency, the vessel sank in the Gulf of Aden while carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants, marking another devastating event in a series of maritime disasters involving migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in East Africa.
Abdusattor Esoev, the head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, confirmed the details of the tragedy. He reported that the bodies of 54 migrants were found washed ashore in the district of Khanfar, while an additional 14 deceased migrants were retrieved and taken to a morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital of Abyan. Out of the group, only 12 migrants survived the incident, with the remainder presumed dead.
In response to the incident, the Abyan security directorate initiated a large-scale search-and-rescue operation. They reported that numerous bodies were scattered across a wide expanse of the shore, highlighting the grim reality of the situation. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has made the country a significant transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking to reach wealthier Gulf Arab nations.
Despite Yemen’s prolonged civil war, which has continued for over a decade, the region remains a critical route for those attempting to escape dire circumstances in their home countries. Migrants often rely on smugglers who transport them on overcrowded and perilous boats across the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden.
The perilous journey has resulted in a tragic loss of life in recent months. In a separate incident in March 2024, two migrants died and 186 others went missing after four ships capsized near Yemen and Djibouti, as reported by the IOM. According to their statistics, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, a significant decrease from 97,200 in 2023. This decline is likely attributed to increased patrolling of maritime routes.
The tragic loss of life on March 10 serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by migrants in search of safety and opportunity. As international efforts continue to address the humanitarian crisis, the plight of those risking everything for a better future remains a pressing issue that demands attention.
