60 feared drowned in Yemen after boat disappears

The vessel disappeared some 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the remote Socotra island five days ago.

The Yemeni government says 60 nationals, including women and children, are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea, after their vessel went missing for days.

Map of Yemen locating Socotra island. Nearly 60 people are missing after a ship sank off the island, according to the country's fisheries minister Wednesday. (AFP Photo)

In a statement, the internationally recognised government said on Tuesday the vessel disappeared some 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the remote Socotra island five days ago. It was heading from the southern province of Hadramawt, carrying women and children among others.

Another statement by the governor of Hadramawt Ahmed ben-Break said that two were rescued and that the search is still ongoing.

The government has urged the Saudi-led coalition which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels for help.

Flights between Yemeni cities and the island were suspended since March 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition began its campaign, by closing the air space of Yemen.