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Esoev confirmed that 12 individuals were rescued alive. The bodies of 54 victims washed ashore in the Khanfar district, while 14 others were found at another location and sent to a hospital. Earlier, Yemeni health authorities had reported 54 deaths in the tragedy.
Abdul Qadir Bajamil, Director of the Zanzibar Health Office, stated that preparations are underway to bury the deceased near the city of Shakrah, while search operations continue under challenging conditions.
The maritime route between the Horn of Africa and Yemen has long been notorious as a perilous passage for refugees and migrants. Since the onset of Yemen’s civil war in 2014, the number of people fleeing via this route has significantly increased. Despite a temporary ceasefire agreement between Houthi and government forces in April 2022, Yemen’s humanitarian crisis remains unresolved.
Many individuals from African nations like Somalia and Ethiopia attempt to seek refuge in Yemen or use it as a transit point to reach wealthier Gulf countries. According to the IOM, this route is one of the world’s busiest and most dangerous migration pathways. Refugees often undertake these journeys in overcrowded and unsafe boats, crossing the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden.
IOM data indicates that over 60,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024, a notable decrease from the 97,200 recorded in the previous year.
