A mortal fire, which broke out on Sunday, burned down a migration facility, which hosts more than 700 migrants, in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a. The UN Migration Agency director, Carmela Godeau, reported that although there were 8 people confirmed dead, the total death toll could be higher. Among those who lost their lives include guards as well. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage, and it is under investigation. The IOM provided emergency healthcare for the injured among them, 90 people in serious condition, the director Godeau added.
The detention center is under the control of the Iranian-backed Houthi group. They stated that civil defense teams managed to bring the fire under control. According to reports, the fire started in a hangar which was nearby the main building of the facility. The facility was housing many people; most of them were detained while trying to cross the border to Saudi Arabia.
Yemen is a popular destination for people who are desperately seeking jobs in the oil-rich Gulf countries despite the ongoing conflict in the country. According to IOM data, approximately 140,000 people tried to use this route in 2019. The number fell to 37,000 in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
