In brief
Rescue efforts are underway following the capsizing of four boats carrying migrants from Africa, with at least two confirmed dead and 186 still unaccounted for.
On March 7, 2025, at least two individuals have lost their lives and 186 others are untraceable after a tragic series of incidents involving migrant boats sinking off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti. The International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.) reported that two boats went down near Yemen late Thursday, with Tamim Eleian, a spokesperson for the agency, confirming the rescue of two crew members, while 181 migrants and five Yemeni crew members remain missing. In Djibouti, two additional vessels capsized around the same timeframe. Though the bodies of two migrants were found, all others aboard were successfully rescued. The boats were reportedly overwhelmed by strong winds soon after departing, as stated by Abdusattor Esoev, the I.O.M. mission leader in Yemen. The unfortunate incident unfolded near the Dhubab district in southwestern Yemen, where one boat was carrying 34 people, including 31 Ethiopian migrants and three Yemeni crew members. Another vessel heading toward the Ahwar district in Abyan governorate contained 154 Ethiopian migrants and four Yemeni crew members. Yemen has become an increasingly common route for migrants from East and Horn of Africa, driven by the hope of finding work in Gulf countries. The risks involved are substantial, as smugglers often operate overcrowded and unsafe boats across perilous waters like the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. According to I.O.M. reports, the number of migrants arriving in Yemen soared to approximately 97,200 in 2023, a significant rise from the 2021 figure of just 32,000, possibly due to increased patrols in the region that deterred crossings. Unfortunately, over the past decade, more than 2,000 migrants have disappeared along this treacherous route, with 693 confirmed drownings, underscoring the dire situation faced by those seeking a safer and better life. Currently, around 380,000 migrants reside in Yemen, navigating challenging conditions.
