A boat carrying approximately 60 migrants, including women and children, capsized off the coast of eastern Libya. Authorities reported at least 50 dead or missing, with 10 survivors reaching Bardaa Island. This incident marks the latest maritime tragedy off Libya, a key departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe.
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants attempting to reach Europe, underscoring the persistent dangers associated with irregular migration routes from North Africa.
A boat carrying about 60 migrants, including women and children, bound for European shores capsized off the coast of eastern Libya, resulting in at least 50 dead or missing. The shipwreck occurred on Tuesday near Bardaa Island, off the coastal city of Tobruk. Ten survivors managed to swim to the island, and search efforts are continuing.
This incident is the latest in a series of maritime tragedies off Libya, which has become a primary transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East. Smugglers often use small and unsafe boats, leading to thousands of deaths during the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 800 migrants were reported dead or missing in the central Mediterranean route between January 1 and May 16 this year. Last year, over 1,300 migrants perished or went missing on the same route.