The U.N. migration agency reported on Tuesday that at least 49 migrants were killed and 140 more missing when their boat capsized near the coast of Yemen.

International Organization of Migration's (IOM) released a statement stating that the vessel was departing from Somalia, and carrying 260 migrants including Somalis and Ethiopians. A Yemeni official gave a death toll earlier of at least 40.

The boat capsized near Alghareef Point, in the Shabwah Governorate of Yemen. IOM reported that 31 women and 6 children were among the dead.

Mohammedali Abunajela is a spokesperson from the IOM. He said, "This tragic event serves as a reminder that we must work together urgently to address migration challenges. We also need to ensure the safety of migrants on migration routes."

IOM, a non-profit organization that keeps track of deaths or disappearances of migrants on migration routes, reported 1,860 deaths and disappearances of migrants along the route from East Africa, Horn of Africa, to Gulf Countries since 2014.

Nearly 500 were drownings.

IOM has described this route as being one of the busiest, and most dangerous routes in the world.

It said that migrants, who rely on smugglers for navigation, are at a higher risk of being trafficked, as well as human trafficking during the dangerous boat trip to Yemen.

According to the United Nations 97,000 migrants from the Horn of Africa arrived in Yemen last year. Reporting by Emma Farge, Gabrielle Tetrault Farber and Madeleine Chambers. Editing by Peter Graff and Madeleine Chambers.