Tragic Boat Capsize off Yemen Coast: 68 Ethiopian Migrants Dead, Over 74 Still Missing

In a heart-wrenching maritime disaster, a boat carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen's Abyan province, resulting in the death of at least 68 people, with over 74 others still unaccounted for. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday in the Gulf of Aden, as migrants attempted to reach Gulf countries in search of work.

Only 12 Survivors Rescued Amidst Massive Search Operations

According to Abdussattar Soye, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, only 12 migrants survived the ordeal. Local authorities reported that 54 bodies were recovered along the coast of Khanfar district, while another 14 bodies were brought to a hospital in the provincial capital, Zinjibar.

Yemeni security officials have launched an extensive search and rescue operation across a wide coastal stretch. “Several bodies were scattered along the shoreline, making the rescue efforts even more challenging,” an official statement from Abyan's security directorate revealed.

Yemen: A Perilous Gateway for Migrants

Despite enduring over a decade of civil war, Yemen remains a critical transit route for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa seeking jobs in the Gulf region. Human traffickers often cram migrants into overloaded, rickety boats, attempting to ferry them across the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden in highly dangerous and illegal journeys.

The IOM highlighted that such tragic incidents are becoming alarmingly frequent. In March 2025, four boats capsized near Yemen and Djibouti, resulting in two confirmed deaths and 186 missing persons.

Smuggling Networks and Stricter Patrols

Authorities attribute the decline in migrant arrivals to Yemen to heightened maritime patrols aimed at curbing illegal trafficking. In 2024, approximately 60,000 migrants reached Yemen, a significant drop from 97,200 arrivals in 2023, as per IOM data. However, the lure of economic opportunities in Gulf nations continues to push thousands into the hands of ruthless smuggling networks.

International Calls for Stricter Measures

The recent disaster has once again raised urgent calls from humanitarian agencies for greater international coordination to address migrant trafficking and ensure safer migration routes. Aid groups stress the need for stricter enforcement against traffickers and better support systems for vulnerable migrants.

Key Takeaways:

• Boat carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized off Yemen’s Abyan province.

• 68 migrants confirmed dead, over 74 still missing.

• Only 12 survivors rescued.

• Yemen remains a major transit hub for African migrants to Gulf countries despite ongoing conflict.

• Smuggling operations and unsafe maritime journeys continue to claim hundreds of lives.

• Authorities ramp up coastal patrols to combat illegal migration.