Tragic Shipwrecks Highlight Dangers for Migrants Off Yemen’s Coast

Over 180 migrants are feared dead following two shipwrecks off Yemen’s coast, amid severe weather conditions. The vessels capsized due to smugglers ignoring weather warnings. IOM has called for urgent international action to protect migrants and establish safer migration routes, amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

On March 7, 2025, two boats carrying over 180 migrants capsized off Yemen’s Dhubab district in the Ta’iz Governorate, according to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This tragic incident occurred amidst some of the worst weather conditions in years, as confirmed by local sources. Among the individuals aboard were at least 124 men and 57 women; although two Yemeni crew members were rescued, all passengers and the rest of the crew are presumed dead with no bodies recovered to date.

The capsizing was attributed to smugglers ignoring weather advisories from Yemen’s Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, which had warned against travel due to strong winds and high waves. Survivors from IOM’s Migrant Response Points have indicated that smugglers are increasingly reckless, deliberately sending boats into perilous conditions in order to evade patrols. The consequences of these dangerous practices are dire, as highlighted by Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen.

“These latest shipwrecks are a sobering reminder of the grave dangers migrants endure in search of a better future,” stated Mr. Esoev. “Smugglers continue to gamble with human lives, pushing people onto dangerous journeys despite clear weather warnings. There is a critical need for adequate protection and safe alternatives for migrants.” Without immediate intervention, the risk of further casualties and familial grief remains substantial.

Migrants who survive the perilous journey often find themselves in harrowing conditions, facing violence, detention, forced labor, and exploitation in Yemen. Many report experiences of kidnapping and extortion by traffickers and armed groups, leaving them trapped with no means to proceed or return home. Despite these threats, over 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen last year alone, with more than 3,400 deaths recorded along the Eastern Route since 2014, according to IOM’s Missing Migrants Project.

In response to the urgent needs of migrants in Yemen, IOM provides essential services such as food, medical care, protection, and voluntary humanitarian return. However, funding cuts have severely restricted these humanitarian efforts, raising concerns that many migrants may be left in Yemen without access to basic necessities. IOM has called for increased international action to protect migrants and address the root causes of irregular migration, emphasizing the necessity for safer migration routes to prevent more tragic losses.

Additionally, it is important to note that IOM’s Missing Migrants Project serves as a comprehensive database on migrant deaths and disappearances globally, acting as a key metric in measuring safe migration within the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of its coordination efforts, IOM is working with humanitarian organizations and governments on the 2025 Regional Migrant Response Plan to address the urgent humanitarian needs of migrants along the Eastern Route.

The tragic shipwrecks off the coast of Yemen, which resulted in the feared loss of over 180 migrants, underscore the dire dangers faced by individuals seeking a better life. Smugglers are increasingly putting migrants at risk by ignoring weather warnings, leading to catastrophic outcomes. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates in Yemen, urgent international intervention is needed to establish safer migration pathways and provide adequate support to vulnerable migrant populations.

Original Source: www.iom.int