Migrant Boat Capsizing Off Yemen Claims 68 Lives, 74 Missing Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

ADEN, Yemen — The death toll from the capsizing of a migrant boat near Yemen’s southern Abyan province has climbed to 68, with 74 individuals remaining missing as rescue teams persist in efforts despite challenging sea conditions.

According to Abdul Qader Bajamil, director of Abyan’s health office, bodies have been recovered at various points along the coast, while 12 survivors were rescued early Sunday and have been transported to Shaqra General Hospital for urgent medical care. Medical personnel report that several survivors are in critical condition due to prolonged exposure to the sea and exhaustion.

The tragedy took place late Saturday night, August 2, 2025, when a vessel smuggling 154 Ethiopian migrants capsized amid severe weather and strong winds in the waters off Abyan.

Authorities confirmed that all passengers were Ethiopian nationals looking to reach Yemen as a transit point towards Gulf countries in pursuit of improved economic prospects.

The Abyan security forces have intensified search operations, deploying additional teams to recover those missing and manage bodies discovered across scattered coastal areas. Health officials are coordinating with local authorities to ensure the deceased are accorded proper burial near Zinjibar, the province’s capital.

This incident underscores the enduring hazards faced by African migrants undertaking perilous sea journeys through a region marred by prolonged conflict and a dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has repeatedly identified Yemen as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

Local security officials have called for urgent international collaboration to address the root causes of irregular migration and enhance maritime safety protocols within Yemeni waters. An Abyan security official stated on condition of anonymity, "This tragedy highlights the necessity of regional cooperation to prevent further loss of life and tackle the fundamental issues driving these hazardous migrations."

International humanitarian organizations, including the International Organization for Migration, have dispatched teams to support rescue efforts and deliver aid to survivors.

Maritime authorities caution that adverse weather conditions continue to pose significant obstacles to ongoing search and rescue missions.