In brief
The International Organization for Migration has reported a devastating capsizing incident involving migrants in waters off Yemen and Djibouti, with increasing concerns over the perilous journey many undertake in search of work in Gulf countries.
On March 7, 2025, it was reported that at least two individuals have died while 186 others remain unaccounted for following the capsizing of four boats carrying migrants from Africa. The boats sank late Thursday night in tumultuous waters near Yemen and Djibouti, raising alarms over the growing dangers associated with these hazardous migration routes.According to Tamim Eleian, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.), two vessels overturned off the coast of Yemen, leading to the rescue of two crew members while 181 migrants and five Yemeni crew members are still missing. Simultaneously, two additional boats capsized near Djibouti, although all passengers aboard those boats were subsequently rescued and the bodies of two migrants were recovered.Abdusattor Esoev, I.O.M.'s head of the mission in Yemen, explained that strong winds were responsible for the mishap in Djibouti, one of the primary launch points for these perilous journeys. The boats involved were carrying groups of predominantly Ethiopian migrants, with one boat reported to be transporting 31 migrants and another holding 150.The perilous migration route through Yemen has become increasingly treacherous, with hundreds of thousands attempting to reach Gulf nations each year. Recent statistics reveal that the number of migrants arriving in Yemen reached around 97,200 in 2023, a sharp increase compared to previous years. This harrowing trend underscores the severe risks associated with the journey, often facilitated by smugglers who employ dangerous, overcrowded vessels to navigate the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.Tragically, over the past decade, at least 2,082 migrants have gone missing along this route, with 693 confirmed drowned, further emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by those seeking better opportunities in foreign lands. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 380,000 migrants are residing in Yemen, grappling with the challenges of displacement and risk associated with their migration efforts.
