At least 86 bodies have been recovered off the coast of the South Yemen after a boat turned on Saturday night, according to the International Organization for Migration (IIM), with about 200 migrants on board, security sources of the Southern Province of Abyan reported Tuesday.
The informants, who asked not to be identified, indicated that after having recovered today the bodies of 27 migrants, the total number of deaths amounts to 86 and added that The bodies could not be identified because they were severely decomposed and were buried by the authorities near the beach.
The IOM, on the other hand, lamented on Tuesday in a statement “The tragic loss of lives after the shipwreck of a boat with 200 migrants on board, which occurred on August 3 off the coast of Shuqrah”, in Abyan, and indicated that among the deceased – many of them national Ethiopians – 14 women are found.
“The total number of missing amounts to 132. So far, 12 survivors, all men,” The United Nations agency added, which cited the balance of 56 dead previously provided by the Yemen authorities.
Yesterday, the head of the Office of the Ministry of Health of the province of Abyan, Abdelqader Bajameel, told Efe that the vast majority of victims are of Ethiopian origin, specifically from the Oromo minority, a traditionally nomadic ethnic group that is in Ethiopia but has a presence in northern Kenya and Somalia.
“This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need to address the dangers of irregular migration along the eastern route,” said the IOM, who asked to prioritize immediate vital assistance and the protection of vulnerable migrants, as well as make efforts to address the causes of these irregular movements.
In addition, congratulated Yemeni authorities “for their rapid response”while he reiterated his commitment to support the ongoing inter -institutional efforts to identify and assist survivors, recover the bodies and provide support to affected families.
According to the IOM, since 2025 more than 350 deaths and disappearances of migrants have been registered along the eastern route, although “the real figure is likely to be significantly higher.”
The immigration route from the horn of Africa to Yemen is one of the most dangerous in the world, with thousands of migrants crossing every year despite the conflict and the deteriorated conditions in the Yemen, with the hope of finally reaching Saudi Arabia and other rich countries of the Persian Gulf in search of work.
In 2024 there were at least three shipwrecks of these characteristics in which 92 people died and more than 150 disappeared after overturning their vessels before the Yemen coast.
