A tragic maritime incident occurred off the coast of Yemen, claiming the lives of 13 migrants and leaving 14 others missing. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that a boat carrying 25 Ethiopian migrants and two Yemeni nationals capsized near the Taez governorate on Tuesday. The vessel had departed from Djibouti, a common departure point for those seeking a better life in the Gulf region.
Among the confirmed dead were 11 men and two women. The IOM confirmed that search operations are underway to locate the missing, including the Yemeni captain and his assistant. The cause of the shipwreck is currently under investigation.
Matt Huber, the acting chief of IOM’s mission in Yemen, emphasized the dangers faced by migrants on this route. “This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants on this route,” he said.
The Red Sea route, a dangerous and treacherous journey, has become a popular choice for migrants seeking to escape poverty, conflict, or natural disasters in the Horn of Africa. The migrants hope to reach oil-rich Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, where they seek employment as laborers or domestic workers.
The IOM reported a record number of migrant arrivals in Yemen in 2023, exceeding the previous year’s numbers. This latest shipwreck follows similar tragedies off the coast of Yemen in June and July, where dozens lost their lives.
Even those who manage to reach Yemen often face further hardships and risks to their safety. Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country, has been embroiled in a devastating civil war for nearly a decade.
