TRIPOLI, Libya, July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Libyan navy, on Saturday, rescued 89 illegal immigrants off the country’s western coast.
“A coast guard patrol received a report and rescued 89 illegal immigrants, all men, on a rubber boat,” navy spokesman, Ayob Qassem, said.
The rescue operation took place some 43.45 km off the coast of the city of Garrabulli, 55 km east of the capital, Tripoli, the spokesman said.
Libyan Red Crescent, on Friday, recovered 60 bodies of illegal immigrants east of the capital, Tripoli.
The United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday, said that, more than 100 illegal immigrants were missing, off the western Libyan coast, while 140 others have been rescued.
“If estimated figures are correct, this is the largest loss of life in the central Mediterranean in 2019,” UNHCR spokesman, Charlie Yaxley, said.
Because of the insecurity and chaos, Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe, many of whom drown on the way.
Improved weather conditions increase the flows of illegal immigrants towards Europe, particularly off the western Libyan coast.– NNN-AGENCIES
