On August 3, 2025, a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen amid bad weather. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the boat had more than 200 people on board. Of those, at least 96 have died, and more than 30 are missing. Those aboard were believed to be migrants and refugees traveling through Yemen toward Saudi Arabia, most of whom were Ethiopians.

They are attempting to move in search of economic and humanitarian stability. In Ethiopia, people are facing severe poverty, with more than 10 million experiencing food insecurity. In 2022, the unemployment rate reached 18%, leaving many in difficult economic circumstances. Furthermore, many civilians are subjected to attacks and sexual violence by government and anti-government forces. Ethiopia faces multiple armed conflicts, and even those currently under ceasefire are at risk of reigniting, with some warning of possible relapse, keeping the situation unstable.

However, migrants who leave Ethiopia are far from safe. Beyond capsizings at sea, there is a possibility that the smugglers assisting their journeys are engaging in human trafficking, and Yemen is also experiencing conflict. Moreover, even if they manage to enter Saudi Arabia, they risk being killed by the country’s border guards. Human Rights Watch estimates that of about 1,200 people who attempted the crossing, at least 655 were killed, and migrants frequently witness killings.

The number of Ethiopians crossing to Yemen has been declining, from about 96,000 in 2023 to about 60,000 in 2024. However, many people still face humanitarian danger throughout the journey.

Learn more about migrants from East Africa → 「The world’s most crowded maritime migration corridor?」

Learn more about the conflict in Ethiopia → 「Ethiopia: Concerns over renewed conflict 」

Coast of Abyan Governorate, Yemen (Photo: Ahmedxalkatheri / Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0])