70 Dead, Hundreds Missing After Shipwrecks on Migrant Route to Yemen
At least 70 bodies of migrants were found on Monday along the coast near Yakhtul, north of Mokha, Yemen, as search efforts continued following a series of deadly shipwrecks, a Yemeni government official said. The number of fatalities may increase as rescue teams and local fishermen continue recovering bodies from the water.
The discovery follows reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that four migrant boats sank last week off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti, leaving 186 people missing. The IOM has called for immediate measures to prevent further loss of life, saying that 558 migrants died on this route in 2024 alone.
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The treacherous sea passage between the Horn of Africa and Yemen is frequently used by migrants hoping to reach Gulf states for work. Many endure dangerous conditions aboard overcrowded, poorly maintained vessels operated by smugglers.
Despite the risks, Yemen remains a key transit point. UN data shows that 60,897 African migrants entered the country in 2024, often facing dire conditions upon arrival. Many fall victim to human traffickers or are detained by armed groups operating in the region.
The ongoing crisis highlights the desperate conditions that push migrants to embark on these journeys and the need for stronger international efforts to address human trafficking and improve migrant safety.
