Tragic Red Sea Boat Disaster Claims Over 60 Ethiopian Lives, Leaving Many Missing

At least 68 Ethiopian migrants have died and over 70 are missing after their overcrowded boat sank off Yemen’s southern coast on August 2. The vessel, carrying about 154 migrants, capsized near Abyan province amid strong winds and severe weather, making this one of the deadliest incidents on the Red Sea migration route this year.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that only 12 survivors were rescued and taken to hospitals. Search teams continue recovering bodies, while hope fades for the missing migrants. Officials blame overcrowding and unsafe travel conditions, often exploited by smugglers, as key factors in the tragedy.

Despite Yemen’s conflict, the country remains a major transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking work in Gulf states. Thousands of Ethiopians each year risk the dangerous “Eastern Route” across the Gulf of Aden, facing treacherous seas, violence, and exploitation.

The IOM and local authorities are urging urgent international action to address the root causes of irregular migration and improve maritime safety for vulnerable travelers from Africa. The disaster highlights the continuing risks faced by migrants on this perilous journey.