GENEVA, Switzerland, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The U.N. refugee agency says the deadly smuggling of people across the Gulf of Aden from Somalia to Yemen is increasing.
Fifteen people, including a pregnant woman, were reported to have drowned while up to 9,000 others were waiting to cross over, said the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis Tuesday at a news briefing in Geneva.
The drowning occurred when two boats with approximately 260 people aboard were apprehensive about coming closer to the shore, said Pagonis. The survivors were arrested after arriving onshore by Yemen coastal armed forces, while some were able to escape.
More than 26,000 migrants have been recorded arriving on the coast of Yemen from Somalia since January of last year. At least 340 were killed during the journey, while more than 300 travelers remain missing. There are currently more than 88,000 registered refugees in Yemen, of which 84,000 are Somalis.
"Several Somalis told us they left their homes before and during the hostilities between the Ethiopian army and the Union of Islamic Courts forces, but were forced to stay in Bosasso due to rough sea conditions," said Pagonis. "They also said that smugglers have become more careful of the Yemeni coast guard which has increased its patrols."
New arrivals said they were searched and had money taken by some armed men before being brought inland. UNHCR said it asked for clarification from the Yemeni authorities who said they would address the problem, which they attributed to "bad elements."
UNHCR has reported cases of migrants coming from Somalia to Yemen being beaten to death and thrown overboard by smugglers in the past few months.
