At least 68 Ethiopian migrants have been killed when their overloaded boat capsized in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the International Organization for Migration said on Sunday. The tragedy marks one of the deadliest migration incidents in recent years.
The migrants were attempting to reach oil-rich Saudi Arabia, which is a major destination for people fleeing conflict, poverty, or political repression in East African countries like Ethiopia. The perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden is considered one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
According to reports, the boat was carrying 150 people and capsized on Saturday night near the southern Yemeni province of Abyan. At least 12 survivors were rescued, but an unknown number of passengers remain missing. The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies wash ashore.
The International Organization for Migration has called for enhanced protection mechanisms for migrants undertaking perilous journeys, often facilitated by unscrupulous smugglers. Yemen’s ongoing war has created a devastating humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people killed or displaced since 2014. The country’s porous borders and long history of conflict have made it a critical transit point for migrants seeking to reach Saudi Arabia.
The incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by migrants attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden, where they are often subjected to overcrowding, violence, and exploitation. As the situation unfolds, authorities in Yemen and neighboring countries are working to search for missing passengers and provide aid to those affected by the tragedy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/world/middleeast/yemen-migration-saudi.html