The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported on Thursday that only four survivors were found after a boat carrying at least 45 people capsized off the coast of Yemen. The boat overturned the previous night near the Taiz governorate’s coast, with “strong winds and overloading” cited as the cause.
“This incident underscores the perilous journeys between Yemen and Africa,” the UNHCR said on X (formerly Twitter). The agency is working with partners and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support survivors and address protection needs.
The waterways connecting Yemen with the Horn of Africa have become frequent routes for refugees and migrants traveling in both directions. Since the outbreak of the civil war in Yemen in 2014, there has been a significant increase in the number of Yemenis fleeing the country. However, the journey is often deadly. According to the IOM, 1,860 migrant deaths and disappearances have been reported along this route since 2014.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by African migrants seeking refuge and better opportunities across dangerous waters.
