Over 180 Migrants Feared Dead Following Shipwrecks Off Yemen’s Coast
Over 180 migrants are feared dead after two boats capsize off Yemen’s Dhubab district. Local weather warnings were ignored by smugglers during the dangerous journey from the Horn of Africa. Survivors face serious exploitation and violence in Yemen. IOM continues to provide assistance, but funding shortages hinder their efforts. Urgent international actions are needed to safeguard migrants and reduce further tragedies.
On March 7, 2025, two vessels carrying over 180 migrants capsized near Yemen’s Dhubab district, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The boats were attempting perilous crossings from the Horn of Africa during inclement weather conditions, with rough seas contributing to the disaster. Of the onboard individuals, at least 124 were men and 57 were women. While two Yemeni crew members were rescued, the fate of all other passengers is currently uncertain, with no bodies recovered thus far.
The tragic shipwrecks occurred because smugglers ignored warnings issued by Yemen’s Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, which had suggested refraining from travel due to perilous winds and waves. Reports indicate that smugglers are increasingly endangering migrant lives by sending them into hazardous conditions to evade patrols. Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “These latest shipwrecks are a sobering reminder of the grave dangers migrants endure in search of a better future.”
Migrants who reach Yemen frequently encounter severe hardships, including violence, detention, forced labor, and exploitation. Many suffer additional threats from traffickers and armed groups, often finding themselves with no resources to continue their journeys or return home. Despite these risks, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen last year alone, with the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project reporting over 3,400 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route since 2014, including significant losses among women and children.
IOM actively provides life-saving assistance to migrants in Yemen through food, medical care, protection services, and voluntary humanitarian returns. However, the demand for aid significantly exceeds the resources available. Due to funding cuts, IOM anticipates that many migrants could become stranded in dire situations, lacking essential access to food, shelter, or medical attention.
In light of the worsening humanitarian landscape, IOM implores the international community to enhance protections for migrants and address the root causes of irregular migration. Establishing safer migration pathways and taking urgent preventive actions could help avert further tragedies at sea.
IOM’s Missing Migrants Project serves as a crucial open-access database tracking migrant fatalities and is integral to monitoring safe migration in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals. Together with various humanitarian organizations and governments, IOM coordinates the 2025 Regional Migrant Response Plan to address the urgent needs of migrants along the Eastern Route.
The recent shipwrecks off Yemen’s coast highlight the extreme risks migrants undertake in search of better lives. The negligence of smugglers, rampant exploitation, and worsening humanitarian conditions necessitate urgent international intervention. Without comprehensive support and the establishment of safe migration pathways, the potential for further loss of life remains a grave concern. IOM’s ongoing efforts affirm the need for enhanced humanitarian responses and protective measures for migrants.
Original Source: www.iom.int
