Boat accident in Yemen claims numerous African lives
The Eastern Route from the Horn of Africa, notably Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti, has become the busiest and most dangerous migration route for African migrants seeking better-paying jobs in Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia. This route involves crossing the sea from ports in Djibouti, Somalia, or Ethiopia to Yemen, which serves as a gateway to the Gulf countries [1][3][4].
This treacherous journey is one of the deadliest migration routes globally, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimating around 3,400 migrant deaths over the past decade on this route alone [1]. Dangers include frequent shipwrecks and capsizing of overcrowded boats. In 2024 and 2025, multiple tragic incidents occurred where boats sank near Yemen, causing dozens to hundreds of deaths and disappearances [1][3][5]. In 2024 alone, at least 558 deaths were recorded, including 462 from shipwrecks [1].
The route has been described as crossing Bab al-Mandab ("Gate of Grief"), highlighting its perilous nature [3]. Despite the risks—such as exposure to violence, financial extortion, and sexual exploitation—migrants continue to make this journey due to dire economic conditions and lack of legal job opportunities at home, particularly in Ethiopia where youth unemployment exceeds 20% [2][3].
The route has become busier as other migration routes, like the Mediterranean to Europe, have been restricted or patrolled more intensively [4]. Approximately 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, down from nearly 97,200 in 2023, attributed to increased maritime patrols but with no reduction in overall peril [1][2].
The migrants are mostly Ethiopians, followed by Somalis, many fleeing poverty, violence, and persecution, hoping to find work primarily in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries [3][5]. Despite the risks, the promise of better opportunities continues to draw migrants to this dangerous route.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, March 10). Migrant deaths on dangerous route to Gulf Nations rise. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/migrants-africa-yemen-saudi-arabia-human-rights-8e12e618c4a9b307c6b1736c598104b4
[2] BBC News. (2024, October 15). Horn of Africa: Why are so many young people leaving their homes? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54428801
[3] Human Rights Watch. (2025, February 12). World Report 2025: Yemen. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/yemen
[4] International Organization for Migration. (2024, December 10). IOM Yemen: Migrants and refugees continue to arrive despite increased maritime patrols. Retrieved from https://www.iom.int/news/iom-yemen-migrants-and-refugees-continue-arrive-despite-increased-maritime-patrols
[5] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2024, August 12). UNHCR Yemen: Arrivals of refugees and migrants continue at alarming rate. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2024/8/630057524/unhcr-yemen-arrivals-refugees-migrants-continue-alarming-rate.html
- The migrants, predominantly from Ethiopia and Somalia, seek better-paying jobs in Gulf countries, particularly in the oil-and-gas and finance industries of Saudi Arabia.
- In the energy sector, the perilous journey across Bab al-Mandap remains a lucrative enterprise for unscrupulous individuals, with migrants often subjected to financial extortion, despite the continued dangers.
