Ta’iz, 25 August – Thirteen people have tragically lost their lives and 14 others remain missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Yemen’s Ta’iz governorate on Tuesday (20/08). The vessel, which departed from Djibouti carrying 25 Ethiopian migrants along with two Yemeni nationals, sank near the Dubab district in Bani Al-Hakam sub-district, according to field reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

Among the deceased are 11 men and two women. The bodies of the deceased were recovered along the shores of Bab-al Mandab near Al-Shura in the Dubab district. Search operations are ongoing in hopes of locating the remaining missing migrants and the Yemeni captain and his assistant. Despite exhaustive efforts, the cause of the shipwreck remains unclear at this stage. 

“This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants on this route,” said Matt Huber, Acting Chief of Mission for IOM in Yemen. “Every life lost in these dangerous waters is one too many, and it is imperative that we do not normalize these devastating losses and instead work collectively to ensure that migrants are protected and supported throughout their journeys. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to prevent such incidents and protect vulnerable migrants.” 

Despite repeated warnings and ongoing interventions, the waters off Yemen continue to claim lives at an alarming rate. The capsizing in Dubab, following similar tragic shipwrecks in both June and July, is yet another devastating reminder of the extreme dangers of this migration route and the reliance on smuggling networks. Vulnerable migrants are often pushed into perilous conditions by smugglers as they attempt to flee desperate circumstances in search of safety and opportunity in the Gulf states. 

The migration route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen remains one of the most perilous in the world, with thousands of migrants crossing each year despite the ongoing conflict and deteriorating conditions in Yemen. IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) recorded over 97,200 migrant arrivals in Yemen in 2023, surpassing the previous year’s numbers. However, with the conflict deepening, migrants remain stranded, with little access to basic services and constant exposure to violence and exploitation. 

This recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for more robust measures to protect migrants and prevent future loss of life. IOM urges all actors to step up support and prevent further tragedies along migration routes, and address the root causes driving irregular migration, including conflict, poverty, and climate-related challenges. 

Adequate funding and resources are urgently needed to address the growing needs of stranded migrants. Strengthened international collaboration and increased financial backing are essential to effectively tackle these challenges and ensure that migrants receive the necessary protection and assistance during their perilous migration journeys. 

Since 2014, IOM’s Missing Migrants Project has recorded 2,082 migrant deaths and disappearances on the Eastern Route, including 693 due to drowning. Despite these harrowing numbers, the international response remains severely underfunded. 

Note to Editors: 

IOM’s Missing Migrants Project is the only open-access database on migrant deaths and disappearances worldwide and the sole indicator (10.7.3) to measure safe migration in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Together with 48 other humanitarian and development organizations and governments, IOM coordinates the Regional Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Southern Africa (MRP) to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of migrants along the Eastern Route. Although MRP partners appealed for USD 112 million, the appeal remains severely underfunded. 

For more information, please contact: 

Monica Chiriac, Media and Communications Officer, mchiriac@iom.int  
IOM Yemen’s Communications Team, iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int