A tragic maritime disaster has claimed the lives of at least 68 migrants after a boat carrying Ethiopian nationals capsized off the coast of Yemen's Abyan province late Sunday night. According to the United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM), the overcrowded vessel was carrying around 154 people when it sank near the shores of Khanfar district.

Local authorities and rescue workers reported that 54 bodies were recovered from the Khanfar coastline, while another 14 bodies were discovered along other parts of Yemen’s coast. Rescue teams are continuing their efforts to locate the 74 individuals still reported missing, though hope is fading due to harsh sea conditions.

Only 12 survivors have been confirmed so far, many of whom were found in a state of shock or requiring urgent medical care. The survivors were transported to nearby hospitals in Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, where they are receiving treatment.

The ill-fated vessel was reportedly part of a well-known and dangerous migration route used by thousands of African migrants each year. Many of these individuals originate from Ethiopia, Somalia, and other conflict-stricken or economically challenged nations, seeking better opportunities in Gulf countries via Yemen.

IOM officials expressed deep concern over the increasing death toll along this migration corridor. They highlighted the growing risks migrants face due to unsafe vessels, human smuggling networks, and the ongoing instability in Yemen, which limits the capacity of local authorities to conduct efficient search and rescue operations.

This latest disaster follows a series of similar incidents in recent months, including two boat capsizes near Djibouti in March that resulted in more than 100 deaths. The IOM estimates that over 60,000 migrants used the eastern Horn of Africa to Yemen route in 2024 alone, with this year’s numbers expected to remain high despite the mounting dangers.

As investigations continue, international agencies are calling for urgent action to address the root causes of migration and to enhance protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations making these perilous journeys.