Sana’a (Yemen), August 4, 2025 –
A tragic boat accident off the coast of Yemen has claimed the lives of at least *68 Ethiopian migrants, according to international aid agencies. The overloaded vessel was en route to Yemen when it *capsized near the Red Sea coastline, triggering a major search and rescue operation.
Boat Was Carrying 154 Migrants
The ill-fated boat was carrying *154 migrants, most of them from **Ethiopia, who were attempting to *illegally cross into Yemen, a common gateway for those hoping to reach wealthier Gulf countries for work.
So far, *only 10 individuals have been rescued alive, and **74 remain missing, according to rescue officials. Search efforts are ongoing, with *international humanitarian teams and local authorities racing against time to find survivors.
Ongoing Rescue Operations in Harsh Conditions
Search and rescue operations are being led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) along with local coastal guards. The *Red Sea waters, known for their unpredictable currents and treacherous weather, are *posing serious challenges to the teams on the ground.
Eyewitnesses say the boat *sank shortly after departing, due to *overcrowding and poor vessel conditions — a recurring problem in illegal migration routes in the region.
Yemen – A Dangerous Gateway for Migrants
Yemen continues to be a *key transit route for East African migrants, despite the country itself grappling with a long-standing civil conflict and humanitarian crisis. Thousands of migrants *risk their lives annually, crossing the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea on unsafe boats to seek better opportunities in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
The IOM has previously warned about the rising number of deaths among migrants attempting this route.