Tragedy struck in the Gulf of Aden as at least 68 migrants lost their lives after a boat carrying around 157 people sank in rough weather off the coast of Yemen’s southern Abyan province on Sunday.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, only 12 people have been rescued so far, while dozens remain missing.
“Most of the victims are believed to be Ethiopian nationals,” the IOM confirmed.
Smugglers Exploiting Dangerous Migration Route
The IOM’s Yemen chief, Abdusattor Esoev, revealed that the boat was navigating a notorious route often used by people smugglers. He described it as a vast and risky coastal stretch that continues to claim lives.
“What we are advocating for all member states… is to enhance their regular pathways so people can take legal ways in order to migrate, instead of being trapped or deceived by smugglers and taking those dangerous journeys,” Esoev said.
The IOM has consistently warned about the perils of this migration corridor, which connects the Horn of Africa—including Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea—to Yemen.
Large-Scale Search-and-Rescue Mission Underway
Local security sources in Abyan confirmed that a wide search-and-rescue operation has been launched. Many bodies have already been recovered along a broad expanse of the shoreline.
This incident follows a similarly tragic event in March 2025, when two boats carrying over 180 migrants sank near Yemen’s Dhubab district due to turbulent seas. Only two crew members survived.
IOM: Smugglers Growing More Reckless
Reports from migrants who made it to Yemen’s Migrant Response Points suggest that smugglers have become increasingly brazen. The IOM highlighted that many now knowingly send overloaded boats into dangerous waters to evade patrols.
Despite the dangers, desperation continues to drive migration. More than 60,000 people entered Yemen in 2024 alone through these risky channels.
Over a Decade of Losses
Data from the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project shows that over the past ten years, more than 3,400 migrants have either died or gone missing on this route. At least 1,400 of those deaths were attributed to drowning.
Conflict in Yemen Adds to Migrants’ Perils
The tragedy unfolds against the backdrop of Yemen’s protracted civil war. Since 2014, the Houthi group, backed by Iran, has maintained control over much of north-western Yemen, after toppling the internationally-recognised government from Sanaa.
This disaster highlights the devastating consequences of limited legal migration options and persistent regional instability. As conflict and poverty continue to push thousands to risk their lives on unsafe routes, international agencies are urging stronger protections and more accessible legal migration pathways to prevent further loss of life.
