More than 60 Ethiopian migrants lost their lives when an overcrowded boat capsized on Saturday night while attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed. The vessel, believed to be carrying around 150 people, overturned near Yemen’s Abyan province. At least 68 bodies have been recovered so far, and 12 survivors were rescued, while many remain missing. Officials warn the death toll could rise as search operations continue.

The migrants were traveling along the Eastern Route — one of the most dangerous and heavily trafficked migration corridors — used by thousands each year hoping to reach Saudi Arabia for work opportunities. Many of them, including those from Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea, are fleeing poverty, conflict, and political repression. The IOM condemned the deadly incident and called for stronger protections for migrants, stressing how smugglers exploit the desperation of vulnerable people.

Local authorities in Abyan have launched an emergency response. Due to overwhelmed hospital morgues, immediate burials were ordered to prevent an environmental crisis. Two Yemeni smugglers were among the survivors taken to local hospitals. The tragedy highlights the continuing dangers of irregular migration routes that intersect with Yemen, a country still reeling from a decade-long civil war and ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.