At least 49 migrants killed and 140 missing

The United Nations migration agency reported Tuesday that at least 49 migrants were killed and 140 others missing when their boat capsized near the coast of Yemen.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a statement saying the ship was leaving Somalia and carrying 260 migrants, including Somalis and Ethiopians. A Yemeni official had previously reported at least 40 deaths.

The boat capsized near Alghareef Point, in Yemen's Shabwah Governorate. The IOM reported that 31 women and 6 children were among the dead.

Mohammedali Abunajela is spokesperson for the IOM. He said: “This tragic event reminds us that we must urgently work together to tackle migration challenges. We must also guarantee the safety of migrants on migration routes.

The IOM, a nonprofit organization that tracks migrant deaths or disappearances on migratory routes, reported 1,860 migrant deaths and disappearances along the East Africa-Horn route. Africa and the Gulf countries since 2014.

Nearly 500 people drowned.

The IOM has described this road as one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in the world.

He said migrants, who rely on smugglers for navigation, are at higher risk of becoming victims of trafficking, as well as human trafficking on the dangerous boat journey to Yemen.

According to the United Nations, 97,000 migrants from the Horn of Africa arrived in Yemen last year. Reporting by Emma Farge, Gabrielle Tetrault Farber and Madeleine Chambers. Edited by Peter Graff and Madeleine Chambers.