TRIPOLI, July 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that more than 2,100 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast and returned to Libya in the past week.
“In the period of 18-24 July, 2,185 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya,” the IOM said.
So far in 2021, a total of 18,282 illegal migrants, including women and children, have been rescued, while hundreds others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route, according to the IOM.
In a separate statement, IOM said at least 57 illegal migrants drowned off the Libyan coast on Monday.
“At least 57 migrants drowned in a shipwreck off Khums Libya today. Survivors who spoke to our staff said 20 women and two children were among those who lost their lives,” the IOM tweeted.”Yet another tragedy highlights the immediate need for State-led SaR capacity in this dangerous route.”
Residents in Libya have been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which makes the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.
According to the IOM, more than 18,000 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far in 2021, while hundreds others died and went missing on the Central Mediterranean route
Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which makes the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.
Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close them. — NNN-XINHUA
