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At Least 68 Dead, Dozens Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes off Yemen
At least 68 people have died and more than 70 remain missing after a boat carrying Ethiopian migrants capsized off Yemen’s southern coast, according to the United Nations. The vessel, which was transporting 154 people, sank in the Gulf of Aden near the province of Abyan on Sunday.
The tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal shipwrecks in the region, where migrants fleeing poverty, violence, and instability in East Africa attempt to reach Gulf states in search of work and better living conditions.
Only 12 survivors have been confirmed, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Abdusattor Esoev, head of IOM’s Yemen mission, confirmed that 54 bodies washed ashore in the Khanfar district, while another 14 were recovered and moved to a hospital morgue in Zinjibar, Abyan’s provincial capital.
Authorities in Abyan say a large-scale search and rescue operation is under way, but the number of missing suggests the death toll could rise. “Dozens of bodies have been retrieved from various points along the coastline,” the provincial security directorate reported, noting the victims were scattered over a wide area.
Yemen continues to serve as a critical transit point for migrants from Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, despite ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. Many migrants undertake perilous sea journeys across the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden, often in overcrowded boats arranged by smugglers.
The IOM and other humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned of the increasing risks faced by migrants. In March this year, four boats carrying hundreds of migrants capsized off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti, leaving at least two confirmed dead and 186 others missing.
According to IOM figures, more than 60,000 African migrants have arrived in Yemen so far in 2024 — a notable decrease from the 97,000 recorded in 2023. The UN attributes this decline to increased maritime patrolling by Yemeni and regional authorities.
Despite these efforts, Sunday’s shipwreck underscores the persistent dangers along the Eastern migration route. Humanitarian organisations have urged stronger international cooperation to tackle the root causes of migration and to improve migrant safety in transit countries like Yemen.
As recovery efforts continue, the IOM and local authorities are working to support survivors and identify the deceased. The agency has called for increased resources to address the growing humanitarian needs of migrants in the region.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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