42 People Killed On Migrant Boat
Image: Reuters
At least 42 people have been killed in attack on a migrant boat following a military attack off the Yemeni coast.
According to an official at the U.N.'s migration agency "conflicting messages" from survivors suggested the attack came either from a military vessel or an attack helicopter.
Among the dead on the boat were Somali refugees carrying identity documents issued by UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency.
UN refugee agency UNHCR said it was "deeply distressed" by news of the attack off the coast of Hudaydah.
According to survivor reports the boat was packed with Somali migrants trying to flee Yemen and cross the Red Sea to get to Sudan in Africa when it came under heavy gunfire at around 3 am on Friday.
UNHCR officials said the people in the boat may have been heading towards Sudan or other countries to the north to escape deteriorating conditions in Yemen. They have also said that they are appalled by the attack and that their thoughts are with the families of the victims.