By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

3 minutes read. Updated 5:00PM GMT Tues, June 11, 2024

A devastating maritime disaster unfolded off the coast of Yemen as a migrant boat, carrying individuals from the Horn of Africa, capsized in the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Aden. According to reports from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 49 souls have perished, with 140 more feared missing.

The vessel, transporting approximately 260 migrants, primarily hailing from Ethiopia and Somalia, embarked on its journey from the northern coast of Somalia. Their destination: Yemen, a perilous 320 kilometers (200 miles) across the turbulent waters.

Tragically, the incident underscores the perilous lengths refugees and migrants are willing to endure in hopes of reaching safety, with many aiming for Saudi Arabia and other Arab states in the region. Among the deceased were six children and 31 women.

This latest tragedy comes in the wake of previous disasters, including two shipwrecks off the coast of Djibouti in April, claiming the lives of at least 62 individuals. Shockingly, the IOM reports that over 1,860 people have died or disappeared along this perilous migration route, with 480 perishing at sea.

Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has ravaged the country for nearly a decade, and the recent hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the flow of migrants continues unabated. The IOM noted a significant surge in arrivals, with numbers tripling from 2021 to 2023.

“This is another reminder of the urgent need to work together to address urgent migration challenges and ensure the safety and security of migrants along migration routes,” emphasized IOM spokesperson Mohammedali Abunajela.

The tragic sinking of this migrant boat serves as a somber reminder of the harrowing risks faced by those fleeing conflict and seeking a better life, sparking renewed calls for international cooperation to address the underlying causes driving such perilous journeys.

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