United Nations Radio

Eighteen people have died and close to 30 are missing and presumed dead after a smuggling boat capsized in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen.

The United Nations refugee agency says the boat which left from the Somali town of Marera carrying close to 90 people on Thursday last week, sailed for four days across the Gulf before reaching the shore of Yemen on Monday.

The boat collapsed while still far from shore off the Yemen town of Bourom after taking on water as a result of strong winds and rough seas.

UNHCR says its local partner, the Society for Humanitarian Solidarity (SHS) recovered eighteen bodies which were buried subsequently in a cemetery.

According to the refugee agency, some 24 Africans made it to the shore aboard a smaller skiff which was towed behind a bigger boat.

SHS continued to patrol the shoreline between Bourom and Bir Ali for three days and found six other survivors.

More bodies are expected to be washed ashore as the likelihood of finding others alive dims due to seasonal high waves throughout the Gulf of Aden from June to September.

The UN refugee agency says that so far this year, close to 150 people have reportedly drowned in the Gulf of Aden and more than 80 are missing at sea.

Diane Bailey, United Nations
Duration: 1'25"