At least 68 migrants dead after boat capsizes off Yemen coast

At least 68 migrants have been confirmed dead after a crowded vessel carrying around 157 people capsized off Yemen’s southern coast amid rough weather conditions, authorities and aid agencies reported on Monday.

The tragedy occurred on Sunday off the shores of Abyan province, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has been assisting with rescue and recovery efforts.

The head of IOM operations in Yemen told the BBC that only 12 people had been rescued, while dozens remain unaccounted for.

Most of the victims are believed to be Ethiopian nationals, part of the growing number of migrants who make the perilous journey from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula each year in search of work and better opportunities in the Gulf states.

“This is another devastating reminder of the dangers faced by migrants making this crossing,” the IOM said in a statement, calling for greater international cooperation to protect vulnerable populations.

Yemen, despite its ongoing civil conflict and humanitarian crisis, remains a key transit route for migrants attempting to reach Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf nations.

Smugglers often cram dozens of people into unsafe vessels, with little regard for sea conditions or passenger safety.

According to the IOM, hundreds of migrants have died or disappeared in shipwrecks along this corridor in recent months, underscoring the urgency for enhanced migration monitoring, border protection, and rescue capacity.

Search and recovery operations are continuing, though hopes of finding more survivors are diminishing. Local authorities and humanitarian workers are working to identify the deceased and provide support to survivors.

The incident adds to the grim toll of lives lost at sea and highlights the persistent challenges facing regional and global migration management.