Tragic Boat Capsizing Claims 20 Lives in Yemen's Taiz: IOM
A devastating boat capsizing on the night of Saturday (18 January), in Yemen's Dubab District in Taiz Governorate, has claimed the lives of 20 Ethiopian migrants, including nine women and 11 men. The vessel, carrying 35 Ethiopian migrants along with a Yemeni captain and his assistant, departed from Djibouti and capsized near Al-Hajjajah in Bani Al-Hakam sub-district.
The International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) focal point on the ground reported that the survivors included 15 Ethiopian men and two Yemeni crew members, who reached the shore after the harrowing ordeal. The boat, suspected to have departed from the Hammarta area in Djibouti, reportedly capsized amid strong seasonal winds.
'This tragedy is a grim reminder of the treacherous conditions migrants endure in their search for safety and a better life,' said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM's Chief of Mission in Yemen. 'Every life lost is one too many. The international community must strengthen its resolve to address the root causes of irregular migration and prioritize the protection and dignity of migrants.'
Despite continued efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and improve safety for migrants, Yemen's coastal waters remain among the world's most dangerous. In 2024 alone, IOM's DTM documented over 60,000 migrant arrivals in Yemen. Alarmingly, since 2014, IOM's Missing Migrants Project has recorded 3,435 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route, including 1,416 lives lost to drowning.
The latest incident highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the vulnerabilities faced by migrants. Most Ethiopian migrants traveling through Yemen are seeking to reach Gulf countries driven by conflict, climate change and a lack of economic prospects, only to encounter exploitation, violence, and life-threatening conditions along the way.
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Tragic Boat Capsizing Claims 20 Lives in Yemen's Taiz: IOM
A devastating boat capsizing on the night of Saturday (18 January), in Yemen's Dubab District in Taiz Governorate, has claimed the lives of 20 Ethiopian migrants, including nine women and 11 men. The vessel, carrying 35 Ethiopian migrants along with a Yemeni captain and his assistant, departed from Djibouti and capsized near Al-Hajjajah in Bani Al-Hakam sub-district. The International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) focal point on the ground reported that the survivors included 15 Ethiopian men and two Yemeni crew members, who reached the shore after the harrowing ordeal. The boat, suspected to have departed from the Hammarta area in Djibouti, reportedly capsized amid strong seasonal winds. 'This tragedy is a grim reminder of the treacherous conditions migrants endure in their search for safety and a better life,' said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM's Chief of Mission in Yemen. 'Every life lost is one too many. The international community must strengthen its resolve to address the root causes of irregular migration and prioritize the protection and dignity of migrants.' Despite continued efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and improve safety for migrants, Yemen's coastal waters remain among the world's most dangerous. In 2024 alone, IOM's DTM documented over 60,000 migrant arrivals in Yemen. Alarmingly, since 2014, IOM's Missing Migrants Project has recorded 3,435 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route, including 1,416 lives lost to drowning. The latest incident highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the vulnerabilities faced by migrants. Most Ethiopian migrants traveling through Yemen are seeking to reach Gulf countries driven by conflict, climate change and a lack of economic prospects, only to encounter exploitation, violence, and life-threatening conditions along the way.
