http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Boat capsizes off Yemen; 17 bodies washed up [The Source: /www.sabanews.net/hadhramaut.info - 12/04/2009] At least 17 African displaced people have drowned as their boat capsized off Yemen coast, bringing the number of the African refugees who died while trying to reach Yemen to 74 people so far this year.30 of the refugees who were aboard the boat which sank off Abyan coast, most of them Ethiopians, survived while 13 others are still missing. Local sources said 17 bodies, which were washed up on shore, were buried with representatives from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees attending. Many African displaced people, mostly from Somalia and Ethiopia, choose Yemen as destination when fleeing deteriorating conditions in their homelands. They reach the country via sea where many drown when overcrowded boats capsize or when human smugglers force them to swim in deep waters. On April 7, eight people drowned and 22 others were missing and presumed dead, after two boats sank off Yemeni coasts. Some refugees sometimes make it to shore when boats sink. In January, two ferries carrying over 300 Somali and Ethiopian refugees sank in the Red Sea. Many were rescued while dozens were reported missing.Nearly 30,000 Somalis and Ethiopians reached Yemeni territories last year. Waves washed up about 700 on Yemeni shores and 700 people went missing, U.N. officials say