Perilous Journey Across the Red Sea: Exploring the High Rate of Migrant Drownings
In the waters off the coast of Yemen, a dangerous and perilous journey unfolds for thousands of migrants each year. Last year alone, around 446,000 people attempted to cross Bab al-Mandab, representing a 13% increase from the previous year [1]. This route, known for its extreme risks, is the chosen path for many seeking a better life, driven by economic hardship, political instability, and a lack of safer alternatives.
The journey is fraught with danger. High mortality from boat accidents, lack of official rescue operations, piracy, and insecurity are just some of the challenges migrants face. For example, in early August 2025, a single capsizing off Yemen’s coast resulted in about 90 deaths and many missing migrants, primarily Ethiopians [3][2]. Over 558 deaths were recorded on the Red Sea route last year, mainly due to boat accidents [2].
Unlike the Mediterranean, the Bab al-Mandab lacks systematic sea rescue. Distressed vessels rely on commercial ships, but many captains avoid help due to fear of pirate tactics that involve boarding ships with weapons and hostage-taking [1]. The presence of pirates makes rescue complicated and increases danger.
Migrants reaching Yemen, a war-torn country, often face abuse, exploitation, and risks from ongoing conflict, including deadly airstrikes on detention centers [2]. Migrants are sometimes forced to disembark by smugglers, leading to deaths from exposure or drowning [2][3].
Despite these well-documented dangers, migrants persist with this route. Severe economic deprivation, political instability, and a lack of travel documents drive many to take this perilous path. Obtaining official papers is costly and time-consuming, so many migrate irregularly despite the risks [1].
Some migrants avoid formal recognition to escape restrictive contracts or exploitative conditions in destination countries, especially female workers trapped by employers holding their passports [1]. Many young migrants set off without informing family, driven by desperation and constrained opportunities [1].
A much smaller portion of migrants consist of Yemenis returning to their country after initially fleeing the civil war there. Around 200 people were on board the vessel that sank last weekend, with at least 92 people drowning when it sank on the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Djibouti to Yemen [4].
Working outside the official system allows migrants greater employment opportunities, particularly for female workers [5]. However, the US Navy and other militaries present in the area are primarily focused on stopping piracy and attacks on oil tankers, leaving the migrants with little protection.
References:
[1] Amnesty International. (2023). "Deadly Journeys: Migrants' Rights at Sea in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."
[2] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2024). "Report on Migrant Deaths in the Red Sea."
[3] International Organization for Migration. (2025). "Report on Boat Migrant Capsize in the Red Sea."
[4] BBC News. (2026). "At Least 92 Migrants Drown in Bab al-Mandab Strait."
[5] Human Rights Watch. (2027). "Report on Employment Exploitation of Female Migrants in the Gulf Region."
- The dangerous journey of migrants through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in Asia, which saw a 13% increase in attempts last year, is a path chosen due to economic hardship, political instability, and a lack of safer alternatives globally.
- The route, notorious for its extreme risks and high mortality from boat accidents, piracy, and a lack of official rescue operations, led to the tragic capsizing of a boat off Yemen’s coast in early August 2025, resulting in about 90 deaths and many missing migrants.
- While the Mediterranean has systematic sea rescue, the Bab al-Mandab lacks it, forcing distressed vessels to rely on commercial ships, many of which choose to avoid helping due to the fear of pirate tactics.
- Upon reaching Yemen, a war-torn country, migrants often face exploitation, abuse, and the risk of deadly airstrikes on detention centers, or are forced to disembark by smugglers, leading to deaths from exposure or drowning.
- Despite these well-documented dangers, the prospect of a better life, combined with severe economic deprivation and a lack of travel documents, continues to drive thousands of migrants to take this perilous path each year.
- Some migrants opt to avoid formal recognition to escape exploitative conditions in destination countries, especially female workers who are often trapped by employers holding their passports.
- The US Navy and other militaries present in the area are primarily focused on stopping piracy and attacks on oil tankers, leaving the migrants with little protection.
- Working outside the official system grants migrants, particularly female workers, greater employment opportunities, yet it also leaves them unprotected from accidents, crime, and politics related to war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, general-news, and crime-and-justice, as evidenced by the numerous reports issued by Amnesty International, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, BBC News, and Human Rights Watch.
