Around 61 migrants are missing and presumed dead after their boat sank off the coast of Libya, marking another tragic incident in the perilous journey for migrants off North Africa.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the loss, attributing it to high waves that overwhelmed the vessel after it departed from Zuwara on Libya’s northwest coast. Survivor accounts suggest that approximately 86 migrants were on board, with most victims, including women and children, hailing from Nigeria, Gambia, and other African nations. The IOM’s Libya office stated that 25 people were rescued and taken to a Libyan detention center, where they received medical support and are reportedly in good condition.
This unfortunate event underscores the ongoing crisis faced by migrants seeking to reach Europe, often departing from Libya and Tunisia. The Mediterranean route has proven deadly, with more than 2,250 deaths reported this year alone, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced efforts to save lives at sea, as expressed by Flavio Di Giacomo, an IOM spokesperson. The situation is compounded by the broader challenges posed by human traffickers in the region, taking advantage of the instability in Libya since the overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi over a decade ago.
