The International Organisation for Migration called for urgent humanitarian access to people injured in a deadly fire at an immigration holding centre in Yemen's Sanaa, on Sunday.
Initial reports suggested more than 100 people at the site suffered burns, while eight deaths were reported.
The fire broke out in a hangar that hosted nearly 900 people, predominantly from Ethiopia, who were detained trying to cross the war-torn country to Saudi Arabia.
It comes after reports that hundreds of migrants have been detained and tortured by Houthi militias in Sanaa and other areas under Houthi control, in northern Yemen.
On Wednesday, Yemen's government released a statement calling for an urgent inquiry into the blaze.
"We call for a transparent and independent international investigation to reveal details of the crime and hold the perpetrators to account, pressure Houthis to stop recruiting and exploiting refugees in combat, release all detainees in respect of Yemen's obligations and ensure freedom of movement or voluntary return," said Yemen’s Information Minister Muammer Al Aryani.
Aid agencies say it is impossible to know the severity of the disaster until they can get access.
"The total number of migrants who died in the fire at the Immigration, Passports and Naturalisation Authority Immigration Holding Facility in Sanaa remains unconfirmed, as official records have yet to be released," Olivia Headon, media and public relations officer at IOM-Yemen told The National.
More than 170 people were treated for injuries, with many remaining in critical condition, she said. The death toll was expected to increase.
"The reason behind the fire outbreak is still unconfirmed so far," Ms Headon said.
The injured were transferred to public hospitals supported by the IOM in Sanaa.
"We have been supporting the public hospitals of Al Jomhoori, Al Thawarah and Al Kuwaiti with supplies as they are treating the wounded people," Ms Headon said.
She called for urgent help for the IOM medical teams to get access to support the treatment of those affected by the fire.
She said it was important that the migrant community in Sanaa are respected and supported now.
"The migrant community in Sanaa should also be given space to respectfully mourn and bury their dead ones, also supported to have family tracing take place for those affected," she said.
A dangerous crossing
Sea routes linking Yemen to the Horn of Africa are seen as a viable, albeit dangerous, option by thousands of migrants who cross on a daily basis, en route to the Gulf states, seeking jobs and a better life.
Nearly 138,000 migrants from the Horn of Africa attempted to pass through Yemen, heading to the Gulf states in 2019.
This number dropped to 37,500 in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, according to reports by the IOM.
Migrants in Yemen are vulnerable to human trafficking operations, many of them linked to armed militias.
_______________
Gallery: Yemen's internally displaced people
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
Hot%20Seat
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20James%20Cullen%20Bressack%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Mel%20Gibson%2C%20Kevin%20Dillon%2C%20Shannen%20Doherty%2C%20Sam%20Asghari%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
6.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m, Winner: Mayehaab, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Monoski, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Eastern World, Royston Ffrench, Charlie Appleby
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Madkal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Taneen, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
