ADEN, Yemen (BN24) — At least 68 African migrants died when their overcrowded vessel capsized off Yemen’s southern coast during severe weather conditions, marking another deadly chapter in the dangerous migration route from the Horn of Africa to Gulf nations.
The tragedy unfolded at dawn Sunday in waters off Abyan province, where a boat carrying approximately 150 migrants, predominantly from Ethiopia, encountered harsh weather conditions that proved fatal for dozens aboard.
Security sources confirmed varying death tolls throughout the day as rescue operations continued along the coastline. Initial reports indicated 27 confirmed deaths, but the number climbed as more bodies were recovered from the shores of Shaqra and Zinjibar cities in southern Yemen.
Medical officials reported to Reuters that at least 54 migrants perished in the incident, while local media sources cited by Anadolu Agency placed the confirmed death toll at 68, with the majority identified as Ethiopian nationals.
“At this stage, the deaths of 27 people are confirmed; their bodies have been recovered,” one security source said Sunday morning, adding that “searches are ongoing.” A second security official confirmed that 150 people were aboard the vessel when it sank.
The Yemen Window news agency reported that 25 Ethiopian migrant bodies were retrieved specifically from the Shaqra and Zinjibar coastal areas, with rescue efforts continuing for other missing passengers scattered along the shoreline.
Weather conditions played a decisive role in the maritime disaster, according to security sources who described the circumstances as particularly treacherous for the small, overcrowded vessel attempting the crossing.
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis along one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes. Yemen serves as a critical transit point for hundreds of irregular migrants from the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia and Ethiopia, who undertake perilous sea journeys hoping to reach Gulf countries in search of better economic opportunities.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 60,000 irregular migrants have arrived in Yemen during 2024 alone, demonstrating the scale of human movement along this corridor despite the inherent dangers.
The treacherous route from the Horn of Africa across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to Yemen has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years, with overcrowded boats, severe weather conditions, and inadequate safety equipment contributing to frequent maritime disasters.
Rescue operations remained active Sunday evening as authorities continued searching coastal areas for additional survivors or victims from the capsized vessel, though challenging weather conditions were hampering recovery efforts.
The tragedy underscores the desperate circumstances driving African migrants to risk their lives on dangerous sea crossings, often in unseaworthy vessels operated by human smuggling networks that prioritize profit over passenger safety.
Yemen, despite facing its own humanitarian crisis due to ongoing conflict, continues to serve as a gateway for migrants seeking passage to wealthier Gulf nations, where they hope to find employment and economic stability unavailable in their home countries.
