The United Nations International Organization for Migration, IOM says dozens of migrants are believed to have died following a tragic shipwreck off the Libyan coast, with only seven survivors found so far.
The boat carrying 80 people had reportedly departed Qasr al-Akhyar, some 75 kilometers east of the capital, Tripoli, and was heading to Europe.
The IOM said so far, 11 bodies have been retrieved by the Libyan Red Crescent and the local police, adding that the seven survivors who made it back to Libyan shores in extremely dire conditions are currently in the hospital.”
The central Mediterranean remains the world’s deadliest migratory sea crossing.
According to IOM, the latest tragedy brings the number of deaths there since the beginning of this year alone to 130.
Also, according to the agency’s Missing Migrants Project, more than 1,450 migrant deaths were recorded on that route in 2022 with more than 17,000 deaths and disappearances have been recorded there since 2014.
The United Nations body says the situation is intolerable and stated that concrete action by states is needed to increase search and rescue capacity, establish clear and safe disembarkation mechanisms as well as safe and regular pathways to migration to reduce dangerous journeys.
