In brief
A recent tragedy has unfolded in the waters off Yemen and Djibouti, with reports indicating that 186 migrants remain unaccounted for following the capsizing of four boats, as confirmed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
On Thursday evening, two boats capsized near Yemen, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving 181 migrants and five crew members missing. Only two crew members were rescued from the incident. Simultaneously, two additional boats sank off the coast of Djibouti, where two bodies were retrieved but all other individuals onboard were successfully rescued, according to Tamim Eleian, a spokesperson for IOM.Adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, were cited as a contributing factor to the capsizing incidents in Djibouti. Abdusattor Esoev, the head of IOM's mission in Yemen, remarked that the boats faced treacherous conditions soon after they set sail. The first capsized boat was transporting 31 Ethiopian migrants and three Yemeni crew members in the Dhubab district of Taiz governorate, while the second was en route to Ahwar district in Abyan governorate, carrying 150 Ethiopian migrants along with four Yemeni crew members.Yemen has increasingly become a prominent route for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, with many seeking employment opportunities in Gulf countries. Reports indicate that approximately 97,200 migrants made the perilous journey to Yemen in 2023, reflecting a significant surge compared to 2021 figures. In contrast, the number of migrants attempting the voyage fell to just under 61,000 in the previous year, likely due to increased maritime patrols.Over the last decade, the route has seen the disappearance of at least 2,082 migrants, with 693 confirmed drownings, highlighting the dangers faced by those seeking a better life. Currently, around 380,000 migrants are believed to be residing in Yemen as they continue to navigate the uncertainty of their circumstances.
