The United Nations migration agency has reported that 2025 was the most lethal year on record for people crossing the Red Sea’s so‑called “Eastern Route”, with fatalities and disappearances far outpacing previous years.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 922 migrants died or went missing while attempting the hazardous sea crossing from the Horn of Africa — predominantly Ethiopia, Somalia and nearby states — toward the Arabian Peninsula in pursuit of work and better prospects. That figure is roughly double the toll from the prior year.
The voyage, typically beginning in Djibouti and ending in Yemen, is known for extreme risks including treacherous waters, overcrowded vessels and limited search‑and‑rescue support. IOM’s Tanja Pacifico, head of mission in Djibouti, told AFP that the 2025 total “is the highest ever recorded on the Eastern migration route,” underscoring an intensification of danger for people on the move.
Many who survive the crossing find themselves stranded in war‑torn Yemen, where ongoing conflict and harsh conditions compound their vulnerability. Pacifico reaffirmed IOM’s focus on expanding safe and dignified migration pathways to avert further loss of life.
The grim data highlight the escalating human toll of irregular migration by sea and the pressing need for coordinated international response to reduce fatalities on dangerous routes.
