At least 68 Ethiopian migrants have died and 74 remain missing after a packed boat capsized in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen&rsquo;s southern Abyan province early Sunday, according to the United Nations&rsquo; International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The vessel, which had 154 migrants aboard, overturned near Khanfar district, the IOM confirmed. Only 12 individuals survived the disaster.
&ldquo;This is yet another painful reminder of the dangers migrants face along irregular maritime routes,&rdquo; said Abdusattor Esoev, the IOM's chief in Yemen, in a statement to Associated Press.
Local health authorities reported that 54 bodies were recovered from the shores of Khanfar, while 14 others were found in a separate location and moved to a hospital morgue in Zinjibar, the provincial capital. Burial arrangements are underway near the coastal town of Shaqra.
Despite Yemen&rsquo;s ongoing civil conflict and humanitarian crisis, the country remains a critical transit point for East African migrants, particularly from Ethiopia and Somalia, aiming to reach wealthier Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia.
According to the IOM, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea corridor is among the world&rsquo;s busiest and most perilous migration routes. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen, though this marked a decline from 97,200 in 2023, attributed to tighter maritime patrols.
Sunday&rsquo;s tragedy adds to a grim tally of recent migrant shipwrecks in the region, highlighting the dire need for increased international cooperation and maritime safety.
Authorities continue search operations under challenging conditions.

File photo of migrant rescue operation in Gulf of Aden

UN confirms 68 Ethiopian migrants dead, 74 missing after overcrowded boat sinks

Dozens Dead in Yemen Migrant Boat Tragedy

UN confirms 68 Ethiopian migrants dead, 74 missing after overcrowded boat sinks

August 4, 2025 | 14:41 IST