At least 39 people from the Horn of Africa died after the boat they were traveling in capsized off the coast of Yemen, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and local authorities.
Survivors told rescuers that the ship, carrying 260 migrants, sank on Monday due to strong winds.
The search continues for 150 people who are still missing. The IOM said it was providing aid to 71 survivors.
Local authorities in Rudum, east of Aden, said those on board were migrants, mainly from Ethiopia, who use Yemen as a transit point to reach the Gulf states.
Hadi al-Khurma, director of Rudum district, told Reuters news agency that the boat sank before reaching the shore.
Fishermen and residents managed to rescue survivors, who reported that more migrants were missing on the same boat, al-Khurma said.
“The search is still ongoing and the United Nations has been informed of the incident,” he said.
According to the UN, 97,000 migrants arrived in Yemen from the Horn of Africa last year.
The increase came despite the war in Yemen and recent Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
