Including a Yemeni captain and his assistant.. 27 people killed and missing in a boat sinking incident carrying migrants off the coast of Taiz

The International Organization for Migration announced today, Sunday, the death and disappearance of 27 people in a sinking incident of a boat carrying Ethiopian migrants off the coast of Dhubab in Taiz Governorate (southwest of Yemen).

The international organization said in a statement that 13 people were tragically killed and 14 others are still missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Taiz Governorate in Yemen last Tuesday, August 20.

She added that the boat that left Djibouti with 25 Ethiopian migrants on board, along with two Yemenis (the boat captain and his assistant), sank near the Dhubab district.

She pointed out that among the deceased were 11 men and two women, and the bodies of the deceased were recovered along the coast of Bab al-Mandab, while search operations continue in the hope of finding the remaining missing migrants (12) and the Yemeni captain and his assistant.

She pointed out that despite strenuous efforts, the reasons for the boat sinking are still unclear at this stage.

“This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face on this route,” said Matt Hooper, IOM’s acting Chief of Mission in Yemen.

“Every life lost in these dangerous waters is one too many, and it is imperative that we do not normalise these devastating losses, but 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,” he added.

The international organization confirmed that despite repeated warnings and ongoing interventions, the waters off Yemen continue to claim lives at alarming rates.

“The capsizing of the boat in Dhubab, following similar tragic incidents in June and July, is another devastating reminder of the extreme risks posed by this migration route and the reliance on smuggling networks. Smugglers often push vulnerable migrants into perilous conditions as they attempt to escape desperate circumstances in search of safety and opportunity in the Gulf countries,” she explained.

She continued: “The migration route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen remains one of the most dangerous in the world, with thousands of migrants crossing it every year despite the ongoing conflict and deteriorating conditions in Yemen.

“This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to protect migrants and prevent future loss of life,” IOM added, urging all actors to step up support and prevent further tragedies along migration routes, and address the root causes that drive irregular migration, including conflict, poverty and climate-related challenges.

She noted that since 2014, IOM’s Missing Migrants Project has recorded 2,082 deaths and disappearances of migrants on the eastern route, including 693 drownings. Despite these horrific figures, the international response remains severely underfunded.

The international organization called on donors to provide sufficient funding and resources to meet the growing needs of stranded migrants, noting that enhancing international cooperation and increasing financial support is a fundamental necessity to effectively address these challenges and ensure that migrants receive the necessary protection and assistance during dangerous migration journeys.

Every year, tens of thousands of African migrants, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia, enter Yemen by sea to reach Saudi Arabia, fleeing conflicts or natural disasters, or seeking better living opportunities.