Migrant vessel capsizes off the coast of Libya, leaving at least 19 deceased and 42 individuals unaccounted for
In the heart of the Mediterranean, Libya continues to serve as a major transit point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East. The latest tragedy unfolded off the eastern Libyan coast, where a boat carrying over 70 Sudanese and South Sudanese nationals sank on 9th September.
According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 19 bodies have been recovered after the boat sank. The vessel, which left a beach near the town of Kambout, met its fate on the same day. As of the report, 42 migrants remain missing, with 22 of them unaccounted for since the incident.
The IOM, along with the Libyan government, is currently involved in the search for the missing migrants. Just days before, another migrant boat sank off the Libyan coast, claiming one life. Fourteen people were rescued five days later, nine of whom were among the original passengers on the doomed vessel.
In a separate incident, authorities in Zuwara, western Libya, rescued 35 migrants, including five women and a child, from a boat off the Abu Kammash area. However, the fate of several others remains uncertain, as bodies were recovered at Kambout beach, though it's unclear if these were among the 19 reported by the IOM.
The Libya Red Crescent also received an emergency call from authorities in Tobruk regarding the recovery of bodies, but further details about the incident are not available at this time.
The ongoing migrant crisis in Libya underscores the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure the safety and protection of those attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. The IOM and other humanitarian organisations continue to work tirelessly to provide aid and support to migrants, while advocating for policies that prioritise human rights and dignity.
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