Tragedy at sea: 39 African migrants dead after boat sinks off Yemen Coast

A boat carrying over 200 migrants sank off Yemen's coast, resulting in at least 39 deaths and leaving 150 people missing. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that the tragedy occurred on Monday, with only 71 survivors. The nationalities of the migrants were not disclosed.

Dangerous migration route

Every year, thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa attempt to cross the Red Sea, seeking better opportunities in the oil-rich Gulf countries to escape conflict and poor economic conditions. The migration route is perilous, with the IOM documenting at least 1,350 deaths since 2014, not counting this year's incidents. In 2023 alone, 698 deaths have been recorded, including 105 lost at sea.

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Despite the dangers, the number of migrants arriving in Yemen has surged, tripling from 27,000 in 2021 to over 90,000 in 2023. Migrants who reach Yemen often face further risks, including violence and exploitation. Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi border guards have killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants trying to enter Saudi Arabia from Yemen, a claim Riyadh denies.

The IOM is currently providing aid to the survivors of the latest sinking. The situation highlights the ongoing risks and the urgent need for better protection for migrants on this dangerous route.

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