61 migrants die, including women and children, in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya

2023-12-17 17:51:59

At least 61 migrants, including women and children, lost their lives in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, as confirmed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The tragic event occurred when a boat with around 86 people on board set sail from Zuara, located 68 kilometers west of Tripoli, according to survivors’ accounts.

The statement released by the IOM highlights the persistent danger in the Central Mediterranean, which remains one of the deadliest migratory routes in the world. So far this year, the IOM has recorded 2,200 migrant deaths worldwide, with 1,727 of them concentrated in the Central Mediterranean. Since 2014, 22,400 deaths have been recorded on this route, although the real number is estimated to be even higher. On the journey from Libya to Europe, more than 950 people died in 2023 and another 1,200 are still missing.

Tunisia, the origin of nine out of ten Europe-bound pateras and fortune boats in the Central Mediterranean, has emerged as the main departure point. The Italian island of Lampedusa is witness to the arrival of the majority of these migrants.

Arrivals of irregular migrants to Italy from Tunisia and Libya have almost doubled so far in 2023, reaching 153,000 people. As of December 9, the Libyan coast guard had intercepted hundreds of boats with more than 15,300 people who were returned to Libya, a country considered “not safe” by human rights organizations.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has denounced abuse and mistreatment in detention centers in Tripoli, where thousands of foreigners are arbitrarily detained. The anti-illegal immigration agency of Libya’s Government of National Unity recently released 106 migrants on condition that they not attempt to cross again into the European Union.

The Alarm Phone collective, in charge of locating migrants in danger at sea, reported having been contacted by the occupants of the ship before the shipwreck. Despite alerting authorities, including the Libyan coast guard, they declined to undertake a search. The nearest NGO rescue ship was about 12 hours away.