Disaster off Yemen coast: At least 76 migrants succumb to tragedy at sea
In early August 2025, a tragic incident occurred in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's coast. A migrant boat, carrying at least 157 people, primarily of Ethiopian (Oromo) descent, sank, resulting in at least 96 confirmed deaths and dozens more missing, with around 32 survivors rescued.
The boat was heading towards the Abyan province, a common route for migrants aiming for the Gulf states. The security directorate of Abyan governorate launched a large-scale operation to retrieve bodies, with many being found on scattered beaches.
This shipwreck is one of the deadliest off Yemen in 2025, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by migrants in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. Dozens of passengers are still missing. The destination for many of these migrants is either Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported at least 76 deaths, with some sources suggesting a toll as high as over 90. In 2024, nearly 60,900 migrants are estimated to have arrived in Yemen, according to the IOM. Tens of thousands of migrants have been stranded in Yemen, facing abuse and exploitation along their journey, according to the IOM.
The Bab Al-Mandab Strait, separating Djibouti from Yemen, is a major route for international trade, migration, and human trafficking. Last year, the IOM recorded at least 558 deaths on this route, with 462 of them due to shipwrecks. The route is known to be dangerous and frequently used by people-smugglers transporting African migrants seeking to reach wealthier Gulf nations.
The wealthy Gulf petromonarchies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, host a large foreign workforce from the Indian subcontinent or Africa. The IOM estimates that tens of thousands of people have been stranded in Yemen.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the perilous journey many migrants undertake in search of a better life. The IOM continues to advocate for safer migration routes and improved conditions for migrants in Yemen and beyond.
The migrant boat tragedy in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's coast, with at least 96 confirmed deaths and many more missing, happened while the vessel was heading towards the Abyan province, a common route for migrants aiming for the Gulf states. The incident, one of the deadliest off Yemen in 2025, underscores the ongoing risks faced by migrants in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region.
Tens of thousands of migrants have been stranded in Yemen, facing abuse and exploitation along their journey, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Bab Al-Mandab Strait, separating Djibouti from Yemen, is a major route for international trade, migration, and human trafficking, with the IOM recording at least 558 deaths on this route last year.
The wealthy Gulf petromonarchies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, host a large foreign workforce from the Indian subcontinent or Africa. The IOM estimates that these same nations have tens of thousands of people stranded in Yemen.
The IOM continues to advocate for safer migration routes and improved conditions for migrants in Yemen and beyond, in light of the tragic boat accident and the continued risks faced by many migrants in their pursuit of a better life.
