Dubai – In a harrowing incident off the coast of Yemen, a boat carrying more than 200 migrants capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least 49 people, primarily women and children, the United Nations (UN) reported on Tuesday. The tragedy unfolded near the southern province of Shabwah on Monday, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The ill-fated vessel, which departed from Bossaso, Somalia, in the early hours of Sunday, was carrying 260 individuals, including 115 Somali nationals and 145 Ethiopians. Despite ongoing search and rescue operations, significant challenges persist due to a shortage of operational patrol boats. As of now, 140 people remain missing.
“At least 49 migrants have died and 140 others remain missing after a boat carrying 260 people capsized off the southern province of Shabwah on Monday,” stated the IOM. Among the deceased were 31 women and six children, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by those attempting this treacherous journey.
This latest disaster underscores the dangerous migration route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, a path taken by tens of thousands each year in hopes of reaching the Gulf’s oil-rich nations. These migrants often flee conflict, natural disasters, or dire economic situations in their home countries. The IOM recorded over 97,200 migrant arrivals in Yemen in 2023 alone.
The tragedy echoes similar incidents earlier this year. In April, two boats sank off Djibouti’s coast within a fortnight, claiming at least 62 lives. Since 2014, the IOM has documented 1,860 migrant deaths and disappearances on this migration route, with 480 attributed to drowning.
“This latest tragedy is another reminder of the urgent need to work together to address urgent migration challenges and ensure the safety and security of migrants along migration routes,” said Mohammedali Abunajela, an IOM spokesperson.
Migrants who survive the crossing often face further dangers in Yemen, a nation ravaged by civil war for the past decade. Many aim to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to find employment as laborers or domestic workers. However, the journey through Yemen exposes them to significant risks.
In a disturbing revelation, Human Rights Watch accused Saudi border guards of killing “at least hundreds” of Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross from Yemen between March 2022 and June 2023. The report alleged the use of explosive weapons in some instances. Saudi Arabia has dismissed these findings as “unfounded and not based on reliable sources.”
A recent report by the Mixed Migration Centre highlighted continued violence against migrants along the Yemen-Saudi border. Hospitals in Yemen reportedly still receive migrants injured in these attacks, with some killings persisting. The centre noted the difficulty in obtaining comprehensive data, making it challenging to assess whether the scale of killings has decreased over the past year.
The ongoing loss of life among migrants underscores the need for international cooperation and urgent measures to enhance the safety and security of those traversing these hazardous routes.