According to the International Organization for Migration, four boats carrying migrants have sunk off Djibouti and Yemen, resulting in at least one fatality and over 180 individuals missing. The tragic incidents occurred late Thursday along a route frequently used by Ethiopians seeking employment in Gulf countries or fleeing conflict.
“Over 180 migrants are unaccounted for after four boats sank last night off the coasts of Djibouti and Yemen,” stated the IOM.
Abdusattor Esoev, the IOM country chief of mission, reported that two vessels, one with approximately 30 passengers and the other carrying around 150, were missing off the Yemeni coast. He expressed concerns that 186 people may have lost their lives at sea.
The majority of those onboard were believed to be Ethiopian migrants, with five Yemeni crew members and 57 women also on board. Efforts to locate survivors are ongoing, but the chances of finding any are slim.
Two additional boats capsized off the Djibouti coast due to strong winds, resulting in the loss of one or two lives. The remaining individuals were rescued, and IOM colleagues in Djibouti are providing assistance to the survivors.
Esoev highlighted the persistent flow of migrants from Ethiopia and Djibouti to Yemen, particularly from the conflict-ridden Tigray region.
Eastern route
The journey through the eastern route is considered one of the most perilous migrant routes, with over 60,000 arrivals in Yemen documented by the IOM in 2024. The number of individuals attempting this route increased by 13% in 2024, with a significant portion of them being women and girls.
An IOM report indicated that economic reasons primarily drive individuals to take this dangerous voyage. In 2024, six major shipwrecks occurred, resulting in over 558 deaths along the route.
Last month, 20 Ethiopians lost their lives when their boat capsized off the Yemeni coast.
Published – March 07, 2025 09:57 pm IST
