afrol News, 29 September - At least 52 Somali nationals died in Gulf of Aden yesterday as their boat en-route to Yemen broke down, after it was abandoned for days to end in middle of sea.

According to United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), survivors of ill-fated boat left on 3 September with at least 124 people on board, but engine broke down a few hours after leaving Somalia.

In a statement released today, UNHCR said 48 of passengers died onboard, while four others died later in hospital. Survivors said their bodies were thrown overboard.

"Boat eventually drifted close enough to southern Yemen that three passengers tried to swim ashore. Two alerted rescuers, third never made it. Yemeni coast guard rescued survivors on 21 September," statement said.

Surviving passengers, aged between two and 40 years old, have been taken into care by UN aid workers in Mayfa'a (Yemen).

Desperate to flee war-torn Somalia, each of would-be immigrants reportedly paid smugglers between US$70 and $100 for journey to Yemen.

"Knife-wielding crew of smuggling boat told passengers they would travel to Somali city of Bossaso in a smaller boat to re-charge a battery and then return as soon as possible. They never returned, leaving passengers adrift for 18 days without food or water," it said.

Survivors said after a current and high waves carried boat toward Yemen's Shihr coast, three people aboard jumped into sea to swim toward shore and alert authorities.

A Yemen coast guard vessel towed stricken boat to shore, where passengers were met by staff from UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies, who provided food and water.

"Latest tragedy coincides with a recent upsurge in people smuggling across Gulf of Aden from Somalia," UNHCR said.

So far this year, at least 31,192 people have arrived in Yemen aboard smugglers' boats, according to the UNHCR.

Hundreds of Africans reportedly die every year trying to reach Yemen, with many drowning or being killed by pirates and smugglers in waters separating Somalia and Arabian peninsula.

Those who survive the journeys register with UNHCR and stay in refugee camps in Yemen, while others take jobs in cities as laborers for less than a $1 a day.

UNHCR estimates more than 250 people have died and around 225 have gone missing in Gulf of Aden since beginning of year.

Agency also shows that more than 20,000 Somalis and around 9,800 Ethiopians have successfully crossed Gulf of Aden last year.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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