A boat carrying 150 migrants sank off southern Yemen, killing at least 54. Dozens are missing as search operations continue amid harsh weather and growing concern.
International media outlets have reported a devastating maritime tragedy off the southern coast of Yemen, where a boat carrying approximately 150 migrants capsized due to severe weather conditions. At least 54 people have been confirmed dead.
According to a Reuters report, the incident occurred on Sunday, August 3, near the Ahwar region in Yemen’s Abyan province, along the Arabian Sea. Local health official Abdul Qadir Bajameel told Reuters that only 10 individuals survived—nine Ethiopians and one Yemeni.
Dozens more remain unaccounted for, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing despite the difficult weather conditions. Two humanitarian responders stated that rescue efforts continue under extremely challenging circumstances.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted that Yemen continues to be a primary transit point for irregular migration from Africa, particularly from Ethiopia and Somalia. Migrants often brave the perilous Bab al-Mandeb Strait in hopes of reaching Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations in search of work and stability.
The maritime route between the Horn of Africa and Yemen is considered one of the most trafficked—and deadliest—migration corridors in the world. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen, a decline from the 97,200 recorded in 2023.
Since 2014, more than 2,082 migrants have either drowned or gone missing along this route, according to IOM data.
This latest disaster starkly underscores the extreme risks faced by vulnerable migrants and reinforces the urgent need for international cooperation.
There is a critical and growing demand for comprehensive global strategies that address the root causes of migration, ensure safer transit routes, and uphold the rights and dignity of those seeking refuge and opportunity across borders.
