Over 39 individuals from the Horn of Africa have lost their lives after their boat capsized off the coast of Yemen, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and local officials.
Survivors informed rescuers that the vessel, carrying 260 migrants, sank on Monday amidst strong winds.
Efforts are underway to locate the whereabouts of 150 individuals who remain missing.
The IOM has confirmed that it is offering assistance to 71 survivors.
Local authorities in Rudum, located east of Aden, stated that the individuals aboard the boat were migrants, primarily from Ethiopia, who use Yemen as a transit point to access Gulf states.
Hadi al-Khurma, the director of Rudum district, informed Reuters news agency that the boat sank before reaching the shore.
Fishermen and local residents managed to rescue survivors, who disclosed that additional migrants were unaccounted for from the same vessel, Mr. al-Khurma added.
“The search is still ongoing and the United Nations has been informed of the incident,” he said.
Last year, 97,000 migrants made their way to Yemen from the Horn of Africa, as reported by the UN.
This surge in arrivals has occurred despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen and recent attacks by Houthi forces on ships in the Red Sea.