Four dead after two migrant boats capize off Libya’s coast
The boats were using the central Mediterranean route between North Africa and Italy, which is the “deadliest known migration route in the world” UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).
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Web Desk
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At least four people have died after two boats carrying migrants and asylum seekers capsized off the Libyan coast, the Libyan Red Crescent reported on Saturday.
The incident occurred late Thursday near the coastal city of al-Khums, about 118km (73 miles) east of Tripoli. According to the Red Crescent, the first boat had 26 people on board, all from Bangladesh; four of them drowned.
The second vessel was carrying 69 people, including two Egyptians and dozens of Sudanese nationals. Eight children were among those on board. The humanitarian group did not specify the condition or fate of those passengers.
Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants fleeing conflict and economic hardship across Africa and the Middle East, many hoping to reach Europe. The security vacuum following the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi has fueled a surge in smuggling networks operating along the country’s coastline.
The latest tragedy follows another deadly incident reported on Wednesday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which said that at least 42 migrants were missing and presumed dead after a rubber dinghy sank near the Al Buri offshore oilfield northwest of the Libyan coast.
