YEMEN | August 4, 2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
At least 68 African migrants have died and 74 others remain missing after a boat carrying 154 people capsized off the southern coast of Yemen on Sunday, according to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The vessel, reportedly carrying Ethiopian nationals, sank in the Gulf of Aden near Abyan province, an area often used as a transit route for migrants seeking work in Gulf nations.
Bodies Wash Ashore Amid Search and Rescue Efforts.
According to Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s head in Yemen, 54 bodies were recovered from the shores of Khanfar district, while another 14 were taken to a morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital.
Only 12 migrants survived, and the rest are still unaccounted for, presumed dead. The Abyan security directorate confirmed a large-scale search and rescue operation is underway, with bodies found scattered along the coastline.
“This is another devastating reminder of the deadly risks migrants face,” said Esoev, speaking to the Associated Press.
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This incident marks the latest maritime disaster involving African migrants attempting the perilous journey across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, hoping to reach wealthier Gulf countries.
In March 2025, four similar boats capsized near the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti, resulting in 186 people missing and two confirmed deaths, IOM reported.
Despite Yemen’s ongoing civil war, it remains a critical migration route, particularly for migrants from the Horn of Africa, due to its proximity to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Migrants often pay smugglers who transport them in overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels, putting lives at severe risk.
Declining Arrivals, Rising Dangers
According to IOM, over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, a significant drop from 97,200 in 2023, likely due to heightened maritime patrols in the region.
However, the decrease in numbers hasn’t stopped smuggling networks, and fatalities at sea continue to rise. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for enhanced protection measures and safer migration alternatives.
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