Eastern Migration Route Sees Record Fatalities in 2025, UN Agency Reports

Kathmandu. 922 migrants died or went missing in 2025 on the 'Eastern Route' traveling from East Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. This marks the deadliest year on record, the United Nations migration agency (IOM) stated on Wednesday.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of migrants from Ethiopia, Somalia, and neighboring countries cross the Red Sea to seek employment as laborers or domestic workers in the wealthy Gulf nations. The death rate in 2025 reportedly doubled due to the extremely perilous route and entry into war-torn Yemen.

Tanja Pacifico, Head of Mission for IOM in Djibouti, told AFP, "2025 was the deadliest year recorded on the Eastern migration route. 922 deaths or disappearances is double compared to the previous year."

Most of the victims were from Ethiopia. Ethiopia's population exceeds 130 million, and the country is affected by deep poverty and internal conflict. Pacifico stated, "IOM, in collaboration with the Government of Djibouti, is fully committed to promoting safe and dignified migration routes so that further tragedies can be averted."

Many migrants end up stuck in Yemen after crossing the Red Sea. Yemen has been mired in civil war for nearly a decade. Some have chosen to return due to the risky conditions.

IOM indicated that rapid economic growth in Ethiopia in the future might lead to some reduction in migration. Ethiopia's economic growth is projected to be around 10 percent in 2026, although high inflation adds challenges.

Immediate measures are necessary to ensure the safety of migrants, as warned by the United Nations, and the Red Sea route is reported to remain highly dangerous.