Government officials confirmed on Monday through the issuance of a statement on September 26 website (mouthpiece of the defence ministry) that an estimated 42 African refugees had drowned off the coast of Yemen as they attempted the dangerous Arabian Sea crossing.
September 26 website quoted a local official based in the southern province of Shabwa as saying the migrants drowned off the coastal town of Bir Ali. He noted that all survivors (about 30 people) had been transferred directly to Mayfaa camp where they will be duly registered and processed.
Despite the dangers associated to illegally traveling to Yemen and Yemen’s well-known instability, African refugees have nevertheless continued to risk everything in the hope of a better life on the eastern shores of the Red Sea, hoping to only use Yemen as a point of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Attracted by the riches and work opportunities which illegal migrants believe Saudi Arabia offer, tens of thousands of African refugees have over the past few years braved the elements and human traffickers for the dream of a better life. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reporter last December that over 7,000 migrants had perished while crossing into Yemen.
Overwhelmed by the never-ending flow of African refugees, 84, 000 people are believed to have reached Yemen since 2012, Yemen has often called on more support from the international community in order to cope with its refugee crisis.