Over 140 African Migrants Dead or Missing as Boat Capsizes Off Yemen
A boat carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants sank in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's southern coast, resulting in a major tragedy. The UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed that 68 migrants are dead and 74 are missing and presumed dead, with only 12 survivors. The incident is the latest in a series of deadly shipwrecks on the perilous migration route from East Africa to Gulf countries, which thousands undertake despite the region's instability and dangers.
Unpacked:
Many Ethiopian migrants undertake this perilous route to escape poverty, instability, and lack of opportunity at home. They seek work and better lives in Gulf countries, despite the risks, due to limited prospects in Ethiopia and the hope of sending remittances back to their families.
Migrants face multiple dangers: overcrowded, unsafe boats that often capsize; exploitation and abuse by smugglers; and, upon arrival, abduction, torture, and extortion by traffickers in Yemen. Many endure physical violence or are held for ransom, with families pressured to pay for their release.
Deadly shipwrecks are distressingly common on this migration route. Thousands attempt the journey each year, with regular reports of capsized boats leading to mass casualties. Overloading, poor vessel conditions, and human trafficking networks contribute to the high death toll.
The international response includes humanitarian aid, search-and-rescue efforts, and advocacy by organizations like the UN's IOM and Human Rights Watch. However, ongoing conflict and instability in Yemen, plus limited regional cooperation, have hampered more effective interventions or protection for migrants.