CAIRO (AP) — A tragic shipwreck occurred off the coast of war-torn Yemen over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of 56 African migrants and leaving 132 others missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This incident marks a disturbing addition to a series of maritime disasters in the region targeting individuals attempting to reach the wealthier Arab Gulf countries in search of a better life.
The ill-fated vessel, which reportedly had 200 people aboard, sank early on Sunday near the coastal town of Shuqrah, located in Yemen's southern province of Abyan. The IOM confirmed that as of Tuesday morning, rescuers had retrieved 56 bodies, including 14 women, and rescued 12 men from the perilous waters. The ongoing operation to locate those still unaccounted for has been affirmed by the Abyan security directorate, which announced the recovery of the boat captain's body, a Yemeni national, among others found near Zinjibar, the provincial capital.
The IOM highlighted the urgency of addressing the risks associated with irregular migration along the Eastern Route, noting that this incident serves as a stark reminder of the harrowing conditions faced by those attempting to flee conflict and poverty in their home countries. Earlier reports from Abdusattor Esoev, the IOM chief in Yemen, had indicated that the boat was carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants, with initial casualty figures of 68 deceased and 74 missing.
So far this year, the IOM has reported that over 350 migrants have died or gone missing in shipwrecks while taking the perilous journey along the Eastern Route, which is predominantly used by migrants hailing from the Horn of Africa en route to Yemen. The organization cautioned that the true numbers might be significantly higher, emphasizing the dire circumstances surrounding these migrations.
Yemen has long been recognized as a critical transit point for African migrants escaping dire living conditions due to ongoing conflicts and widespread poverty. Smugglers frequently exploit these vulnerable individuals by placing them on overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, making treacherous crossings of the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden. Despite being one of the poorest Arab nations and embroiled in a brutal civil war for more than a decade, tens of thousands of migrants continue to arrive in Yemen each year in search of a better future.
According to IOM data, over 60,000 migrants successfully arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, highlighting the relentless nature of this migration crisis. The perilous journeys taken by these individuals underline the critical need for international attention and effective policies aimed at ensuring their safety and addressing the underlying issues driving migration from their home countries.
