Categories: Africa

68 African migrants die, many missing after boat capsized

68 African migrants die, many missing after boat capsized

At least 68 African migrants have lost their lives and 74 more remain unaccounted for after a boat carrying them capsized off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, according to the UN’s migration agency.

Abdusattor Esoev, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen, told the Associated Press that the vessel had been carrying 154 Ethiopian nationals when it overturned near Abyan province.

Twelve people survived the disaster. Esoev said the bodies of 54 victims were recovered along the Khanfar district shoreline, while 14 others were found in a different location and transferred to a hospital morgue.

READ ALSO:

Local medics confirmed that rescue teams were still combing the waters in search of possible survivors.

The IOM noted that Yemen continues to see a sharp rise in irregular migration from Africa. Thousands attempt the dangerous sea journey each year across the Bab al-Mandab strait—linking Djibouti and Eritrea to Yemen—in hopes of reaching Saudi Arabia or other Gulf nations to find work.

The agency has described the Horn of Africa–Yemen route as “one of the world’s busiest and most perilous mixed migration routes.” Last year, it recorded over 60,000 migrant arrivals in Yemen.

68 African migrants die, many missing after boat capsized

(FRANCE 24 with AP and Reuters)

Trends Admin

Recent Posts

Petrol, Diesel Prices Drop as Dangote Cuts Ex-Depot Rates

Petrol, Diesel Prices Drop as Dangote Cuts Ex-Depot Rates   Motorists and businesses may get…

46 minutes ago

Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno

Explosion kills ISWAP bombmakers, foreign IED experts in Borno Five suspected members of the Islamic…

4 hours ago

Alleged Coup Mastermind Suggested Approaching Wike for Funding, Court Documents Show

Alleged Coup Mastermind Suggested Approaching Wike for Funding, Court Documents Show FCT Minister's name surfaces…

4 hours ago

High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus

High Power Bills Force BUK to Halt Electric Vehicle Charging on Campus Rising electricity costs…

5 hours ago

Zenith Bank confirms cyberattack, says customers’ contact information was accessed

Zenith Bank confirms cyberattack, says customers’ contact information was accessed Zenith Bank has confirmed that…

5 hours ago

Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account

Adeleke challenges EFCC over freezing of Osun government account Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has…

5 hours ago