2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

News> World> Content
Published: 12:21, April 17, 2022
IOM: 6 dead, 29 missing after boat capsized off Libyan coast
By Xinhua
Published:12:21, April 17, 2022 By Xinhua

Debris from a dinghy which was supposedly carrying over 100 migrants are seen floating in the Mediterranean Sea northeast of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, April 22, 2021. (PHOTO / AP)

TRIPOLI - Six bodies have been found and 29 others remained missing after a wooden boat carrying 35 illegal migrants capsized off the country's western coast, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Saturday.

IOM said the missing migrants were "presumed dead" in the Saturday incident that took place off the Libyan city of Sabratha, adding that a total of 53 migrants have been reported dead or missing over the past week.

The International Organization for Migration said a total of 53 migrants have been reported dead or missing over the past week

"Human lives are the cost of inaction. Dedicated search and rescue capacity and a safe disembarkation mechanism are urgently needed to prevent further deaths and suffering," IOM said.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

ALSO READ: At least 57 illegal migrants drown off Libyan coast

A total of 3,968 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya so far this year, including 375 women and 169 minors, according to IOM. 


Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !