1 dead, 180 missing after migrant boats sink off Yemen, Djibouti

Four boats carrying migrants have sunk off Djibouti and Yemen killing at least one person and leaving more than 180 missing, the International Organization for Migration told AFP yesterday.

The sinkings occurred late Thursday along a route that is increasingly used by Ethiopians hoping to find work in Gulf countries or escape conflict.

"Over 180 migrants are missing after four boats sank last night off the coasts of Djibouti and Yemen," the IOM said.

Two of the vessels, one believed to be carrying at least 30 people and the other roughly 150, were missing off the coast of Yemen, according to the IOM country chief of mission Abdusattor Esoev.

"We are talking about 186 people that may have unfortunately perished in the sea," he told AFP.

The majority of those onboard were believed to be Ethiopian migrants, he said, although five were thought to be Yemeni crew members. At least 57, from both boats, were women.

"We are working with authorities to see if we can find any survivors, but I'm afraid we may not have any," Esoev said. The other two vessels capsized due to strong winds off the coast of Djibouti, he said, based on information he had received.