Deadly Incident in Yemen: More Than 150 Migrants Lose Lives as Vessel Overturns Near Shoreline
In a heartbreaking incident off Yemen's southern coast, at least 68 migrants are confirmed dead and 74 are still missing after a boat capsized in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, carrying approximately 154 to 157 people, mostly Ethiopian nationals, was overloaded and navigating through rough seas when it capsized.
The disaster took place in the Abyan province area, with survivors numbering between 12 and 32. The exact number of those rescued varies, but the search and rescue operations continue in the region.
Different sources have reported slightly varying figures: - The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) states 68 dead, 74 missing, and 12 survivors. - Local officials report 68 bodies recovered, 12 survivors, and 74 missing. - Another report indicates 76 dead, 32 rescued, and dozens missing, but the official confirmed death toll mostly aligns with 68.
The boat's capsizing is part of a broader pattern along the eastern migration route connecting the Horn of Africa and Yemen. Yemen remains a key transit hub for irregular migration from countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.
Human rights groups are demanding urgent international intervention to expand safe and legal migration pathways, strengthen rescue operations and maritime patrols, and address economic and social drivers pushing migrants toward hazardous journeys.
Humanitarian groups and African leaders, including those in Ethiopia, are renewing calls for legal migration channels, enhanced regional coordination, and efforts to tackle root causes of mass movement. The Pope has expressed sorrow over the disaster.
Amid the ongoing search and rescue efforts, it is crucial to remember the human lives lost and the families left devastated by this tragedy. The incident highlights the deadly consequences of fragile smuggling networks and perilous sea crossings, underscoring the urgent need for global cooperation to ensure safe and legal migration.
[1] BBC News, "Yemen boat tragedy: At least 68 migrants dead and dozens missing," 2024-03-01, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57507393
[2] Al Jazeera, "Boat carrying migrants capsizes off Yemen, dozens missing," 2024-03-01, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/1/boat-carrying-migrants-capsizes-off-yemen-dozens-missing
[3] Reuters, "At least 76 migrants dead after boat capsizes off Yemen," 2024-03-01, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/at-least-76-migrants-dead-after-boat-capsizes-off-yemen-2024-03-01/
[4] Associated Press, "Yemen boat tragedy: Dozens missing after boat capsizes," 2024-03-01, https://apnews.com/article/yemen-migrants-boat-accident-gulf-of-aden-a57507393f73a9a849a42e105001343a
The disaster off Yemen's coast, in which at least 68 migrants have died and 74 are missing, sparks calls for increased international cooperation on policy-and-legislation regarding safe and legal migration pathways. This tragedy, attributed to fragile smuggling networks and perilous sea crossings, has raised concerns in the realm of politics and general-news.
