On June 10, 2024, a boat carrying 260 individuals from Ethiopia and Somalia, capsized off the southern coast of Yemen. At least 49 migrants from the Horn of Africa died after their boat capsized off the coast of Yemen near the port city of Aden.
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The boat set off from northern Somalia and aimed to traverse the 320 kilometers (200 miles) across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.
The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 49 bodies were recovered, including 31 women and 6 children. 71 individuals were rescued, with 8 requiring immediate medical attention.
The IOM and local authorities continue to search for the 140 individuals still missing, though hopes for finding more survivors dwindle with each passing hour.
Rescue operations are hampered by limited resources and the conflict in Yemen, which complicates access and coordination.
The number of migrants from East Africa arriving in the country has surged. The IOM reported that migrant arrivals tripled from 27,000 in 2021 to over 90,000 in 2023.
Many of these migrants aim to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries for employment opportunities, risking their lives on overcrowded and unsafe vessels.
The migration route across the Gulf of Aden is fraught with dangers including human trafficking, exploitation by smugglers and the risk of drowning in waters.
The migrant crisis in Yemen is not isolated but influenced by regional conflicts including the war in Gaza and tensions involving the Houthi rebels. The Houthis have attacked vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
The IOM spokesperson, Mohammedali Abunajela addressed the urgent need for international collaboration to address migration challenges and ensure the safety of migrants.
There is a critical need for improved search and rescue operations, better support for survivors and measures to tackle the root causes of migration in the Horn of Africa.
The journey across the Gulf of Aden has long been a route for migrants escaping poverty and conflict in East Africa.
In April 2024 alone, 62 migrants died in two separate shipwrecks off the coast of Djibouti, underlining the dangers of this migration path.
Since 2014, at least 1,860 migrants have died or disappeared along this route, making it one of the deadliest migration corridors in the world.
Migrants from countries like Ethiopia and Somalia are driven by a lack of economic opportunities, political instability and the hope for a better life in the Gulf States.
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Many rely on smugglers who exploit their desperation, charging exorbitant fees for dangerous and often deadly voyages.
Yemen, already crippled by war faces challenges in handling the influx of migrants. The country’s infrastructure is in ruins and resources are scarce.
The conflict between the Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition has left the country in a humanitarian crisis with millions in need of aid and basic services.
The vessel, which departed from Somalia early Sunday morning carried 115 Somali nationals and 145 Ethiopians. The migrants were making the journey across the Gulf of Aden, to transit through Yemen to reach wealthier Gulf states.
Fishermen and local residents played a critical role in rescuing 71 survivors. The rescue operations have been hindered by a shortage of operational patrol boats.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there has been a rise in the number of migrants from the Horn of Africa attempting to cross to Yemen with annual arrivals increasing from 27,000 in 2021 to over 90,000 in 2023.
The migrants are driven by various factors including political and economic instability, severe droughts, and other extreme weather events in their home countries.
The journey across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea is fraught with danger. Migrants often face overcrowded boats, hazardous sea conditions and exploitation by smugglers.
The IOM reported that tens of thousands of migrants attempt this journey each year. In 2023 alone, the number of migrants reaching Yemen had more than tripled compared to 2021.
The organization also noted that since 2014, 1,860 migrant deaths and disappearances have been recorded along this route with 480 individuals confirmed to have drowned.
Authorities in Rudum, located east of Aden, have been actively involved in the rescue operations. They reported that the migrants intended to use Yemen as a transit point to reach Gulf countries.
The local director, Hadi al-Khurma, highlighted the role of fishermen and residents in rescuing survivors and the efforts to search for the missing.
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