Twenty-two migrants, all from Mali, died in a shipwreck off the Libyan coast, the UN announced on Tuesday (July 5th), citing survivors who reported victims dying of drowning and dehydration.
After nine days at sea in a dinghy, 61 survivors, mostly from Mali, were rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard and brought ashore, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.
Nine days at sea
The migrants had embarked in the Libyan town of Zuwara, near the Tunisian border, on a dinghy on June 22, IOM spokeswoman Safa Msehli said. “After nine days at sea, they were picked up by the Libyan Coast Guard”, she said. They were brought ashore on Saturday.
“According to the survivors, 22 migrants, all from Mali, died during the journey. The reported causes of death are drowning and dehydration. Among the dead are three children.added the spokesperson. “The total number of survivors is 61, the majority of whom are from Mali”she said.
Libya, key route
The spokeswoman added that some migrants were in very poor health and were therefore taken to hospitals by IOM. “The remaining migrants were taken to Al-Maya detention center”she said.
Libya has become a key route for illegal migration to Europe in the chaotic years following the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 in a NATO-backed uprising. While many migrants drowned at sea, thousands more were intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard, supported by Italy and the EU, and returned to Libya.