IOM says 49 dead, 140 missing after migrant boat capsizes off Yemen

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), no less than 49 people from the Horn of Africa died when their boat capsized off the coast of Yemen. Survivors said the ship carrying 260 migrants sank in strong winds on Monday.

Rescue operations are underway for 140 people who are still missing. IOM said it would provide assistance to 71 survivors, eight of whom were hospitalized. Local authorities in Rudum, east of Aden, confirmed that most of the passengers were Ethiopian migrants for whom Yemen was a transit point to reach Gulf countries.

Hadi al-Khurma, director of Rudum district, said the boat sank before reaching the shore. Fishermen and residents managed to rescue survivors, who indicated that more migrants were missing on the same boat. “The search continues and the United Nations has been informed of the incident,” al-Khurma said.

IOM spokesman Mohammedali Abunajela said on Tuesday: “This recent tragedy is a renewed reminder of the urgent need to work together to address the urgent challenges of migration.” He stressed the organization’s commitment to supporting survivors and intensifying search and rescue efforts in the region.

Melissa Enoch

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