In the waters off the coast of Yemen, a tragic incident occurred on Monday when a boat carrying refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa sank, leaving at least 49 people dead and 140 more missing according to reports from the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel was believed to be carrying about 260 individuals, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia, who had set sail from the northern coast of Somalia on their journey across the Gulf of Aden towards Yemen.
The IOM reported that among the deceased were six children and 31 women. The organization also stated that 71 people had been rescued, but the search for those still missing continued.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen and recent tensions in the region, including Israel's war on Gaza and Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Gulf of Aden, migrants continue to take this dangerous route to reach Gulf countries for work opportunities. The number of migrants arriving in Yemen annually has tripled from about 27,000 in 2021 to over 90,000 last year.
The IOM reported that since the beginning of the year, at least 1,865 people have died or disappeared along this migration route. In April alone, two shipwrecks off the coast of Djibouti resulted in at least 62 deaths.
Mohammedali Abunajela, IOM spokesperson, emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to address these migration challenges and ensure the safety and security of migrants along their journeys. He stated, 'This recent tragedy is another reminder of the urgent need to work together to address urgent migration challenges and ensure the safety and security of migrants along migration routes.'
The causes behind this tragic event are still under investigation. The IOM has urged all parties involved to share information and cooperate in search and rescue efforts.
