Tragedy at Sea: Over 180 Migrants Feared Dead Following Shipwrecks Off Yemen

On March 7, 2025, over 180 migrants are feared dead after two boats capsized off the coast of Yemen during severe weather conditions. Smugglers ignored critical warnings regarding dangerous seas. Survivors of the journey often face violence and exploitation, with IOM highlighting an urgent need for safer migration pathways and enhanced humanitarian support.

On March 7, 2025, two boats transporting over 180 migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen’s Dhubab district, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessels sank during severe weather conditions, resulting in the loss of all passengers except for two rescued crew members. Among those aboard were at least 124 men and 57 women, with no victims’ bodies found as of this report.

The capsizing was attributed to smugglers ignoring crucial weather warnings from Yemen’s Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, which had advised against travel due to treacherous conditions. Reports from migrants at response points in Yemen indicate an alarming trend of smugglers taking reckless risks by sending boats into hazardous waters to evade patrols.

Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen, stated, “These latest shipwrecks are a sobering reminder of the grave dangers migrants endure in search of a better future. Smugglers continue to gamble with human lives… There is a critical need for adequate protection and safe alternatives for migrants.”

Survivors of these perilous journeys face dire circumstances in Yemen, including violence, detention, forced labor, and exploitation. Many migrants encounter kidnapping and extortion by traffickers and armed groups, often finding themselves without resources to continue their journey or return home.

Despite these significant dangers, over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen last year, with IOM’s Missing Migrants Project reporting more than 3,400 deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route since 2014, including over 580 women and 100 children. Drowning is noted as a predominant cause of fatalities.

IOM provides essential assistance to migrants, including food, medical care, and protection services, yet the needs significantly outstrip available resources. Due to funding cuts, many migrants are at risk of remaining stranded in Yemen without access to basic necessities.

In light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation, IOM is calling for greater international efforts to protect migrants and address the root causes of irregular migration. There is an urgent need to establish safer migration pathways to prevent further tragedies.

The tragic shipwrecks off Yemen underscore the perilous conditions faced by migrants seeking safety and a better future. With smugglers risking lives in defiance of warnings, survivors are often subjected to violence and exploitation in transit. IOM emphasizes the necessity for international action to create safe migration options and protect vulnerable populations, particularly as the humanitarian crisis worsens.

Original Source: www.iom.int