UPDATE: More than 60 migrants are confirmed dead after their overloaded boat capsized while attempting to cross the treacherous Gulf of Aden, the International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.) reported on Sunday. This tragic incident occurred on Saturday night near the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, as desperate individuals from Ethiopia and other East African nations sought a perilous journey towards oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
The boat was carrying approximately 150 people when it capsized, leading to the drowning of at least 68 Ethiopian migrants. Authorities report that there are at least 12 survivors, while an unknown number of passengers remain missing. Local officials warn that the death toll could rise as more bodies are expected to wash ashore.
“This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced protection mechanisms for migrants undertaking perilous journeys, often facilitated by unscrupulous smugglers who exploit desperation and vulnerability,” stated the I.O.M. in an official release.
Health official Abdul Kader Bajamel confirmed that the bodies of the deceased and the survivors, including two Yemeni smugglers, were transported to hospitals in Abyan. Due to the overwhelming number of casualties, local authorities have initiated immediate burials to prevent an environmental crisis, as the hospital morgues could not accommodate the influx of bodies.
Salah Balleel, another health official in the nearby Khanfar district, reported that a local hospital received one deceased migrant and treated 11 survivors. “The small boat was carrying far too many people,” Balleel stated. “We provided first aid and medical assistance, and all the survivors have since left the hospital.”
This maritime route, one of the busiest and riskiest migration paths globally, sees tens of thousands attempting the journey each year, fleeing dire circumstances such as conflict, poverty, and political repression in countries like Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. Migrants typically aim to reach Saudi Arabia, hoping to find work in its vast informal economy, but must first navigate the chaotic and war-torn landscape of Yemen.
Since 2014, Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating conflict, following the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sana. A Saudi-led coalition’s military efforts to restore the internationally recognized government have led to widespread violence and humanitarian crisis, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths from conflict-related causes.
The I.O.M. emphasizes that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for international action and support for the safety of migrants. As the search continues for the missing, officials and humanitarian organizations are calling for immediate measures to protect vulnerable populations from such deadly journeys.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
