Rising Migrant Tragedies in the Gulf of Aden Highlight Dire Need for Safe Routes
In a tragic turn of events, at least 49 people have died and 140 remain missing after a boat capsized in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen's Shabwah province, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel was carrying a total of 260 people, including 115 Somali citizens and 145 Ethiopians, when it encountered trouble early Monday morning.
Among the victims are 31 women and six children, further underlining the dangers faced by those taking perilous migration routes. Survivors reported the boat had departed from Bosaso, Somalia, around 3 a.m. on Sunday. The increase in irregular departures from the Horn of Africa is largely driven by political and economic instability, as well as severe drought in Ethiopia and Somalia.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, hindered by a shortage of operational patrol boats—a situation exacerbated by Yemen's ongoing civil war. Local fishermen have been crucial in body recovery efforts. The survivors of the incident have been transferred to the town of Ain Ba Ma'bad, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance from IOM medical teams.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to address the migrant crisis. 'This is another reminder of the urgent need to work together to address the most pressing challenges of migration and the safety of migrants along the routes,' stressed Mohammed Abunajela, an IOM spokesperson.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In April, two other boats sank off the coast of Djibouti, resulting in 62 deaths. Since 2014, at least 1,860 people have died or gone missing on this hazardous route between the Horn of Africa and Gulf countries. Despite Yemen's brutal civil war, the country remains a critical transit point for migrants aiming to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.
Recent IOM data indicates that more than 97,200 migrants have arrived in Yemen in 2023, almost 25,000 more than in the previous year. Desperate to escape conflict and economic hardship, migrants often fall victim to smugglers, who charge exorbitant fees for the dangerous 500-kilometer sea journey to Yemen. Upon reaching Yemen, they frequently face additional risks, including human trafficking.
This crisis is aggravated by reports from Human Rights Watch that allege Saudi border guards have killed 'hundreds' of Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross from Yemen into Saudi Arabia between March 2022 and June 2023, claims that Saudi Arabia has denied.
- The IOM has deployed two medical teams to aid the 71 survivors, including six children. Eight individuals required hospitalization, while 63 received first aid at a mobile clinic near the wreck site. Additionally, 38 survivors required psychological support.
- Yemen's Coast Guard, currently leading the search and rescue operations, is working tirelessly with the assistance of local fishermen. Community members have helped in burying the deceased at the Ayn-Bamaabed cemetery.
- The perilous route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen continues to claim lives. Despite the ongoing civil war in Yemen since 2014, thousands of migrants prefer this route in the hope of finding better opportunities in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, known for their richer economies.
