The Yemeni government says 60 nationals are feared drowned in the Arabian Sea after their vessel went missing late last week.
In a statement, the internationally recognized government said Tuesday the vessel disappeared some 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 two were rescued and the search is ongoing.
The government has urged the Saudi-led coalition — which is backing the government in its fight against the Houthi rebels — for help.
The coalition maintains a naval presence in the area. Socotra and Hadramowt province are under the control of the Yemeni government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. It is locked in a war with Iran-aligned Houthis who control most of northern Yemen.
Flights between Yemeni cities and the island were suspended since March 2015 when the coalition began its campaign.