How Many Lives Were Lost in the Migrant Boat Capsizing Off Yemen?

Aden, Aug 4 (NationPress) The tragic incident of a migrant boat capsizing off the coast of Yemen has led to a devastating death toll of 68, with 74 individuals unaccounted for as search and rescue operations persist amid treacherous sea conditions, according to local officials.

Rescue teams have retrieved 68 bodies along the southern coastline of Abyan province, while earlier efforts in the morning resulted in the rescue of 12 survivors from the water, as reported by Abdul Qader Bajamil, the director of the health office in Abyan.

The survivors were promptly taken to Shaqra General Hospital for urgent medical attention. Medical professionals have indicated that some survivors are in critical condition due to prolonged exposure to seawater and extreme fatigue, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

This tragedy unfolded late Saturday night when a smuggling vessel carrying 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized around 11:00 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) due to adverse weather and high winds in the waters near Abyan province.

Authorities in Abyan have confirmed that all victims and survivors are Ethiopian nationals, representing a segment of the ongoing influx of African migrants attempting to reach Yemen and subsequently travel to Gulf nations in search of improved economic prospects.

Discovered bodies have been found scattered across various coastal regions, prompting authorities to broaden their search operations and deploy additional rescue teams. Health officials are collaborating with local authorities to ensure proper burial arrangements for the recovered victims in designated areas near Zinjibar, the provincial capital.

This incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by African migrants who continue to risk perilous sea journeys despite Yemen's extended conflict and dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has consistently described Yemen's situation as one of the world's most severe humanitarian disasters.

Local Yemeni security officials have reiterated their calls for immediate international intervention to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and enhance maritime safety protocols in Yemeni waters.

"This tragedy highlights the urgent need for regional collaboration to prevent further loss of life and to address the fundamental issues driving these hazardous journeys," an official from the Abyan security department told Xinhua on the condition of anonymity.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other humanitarian organizations have dispatched teams to support ongoing rescue operations and assist survivors, as confirmed by Yemeni officials.

Current weather conditions in the region remain challenging, with maritime authorities cautioning about continued rough seas that may hinder search efforts.