Mediterranean Tragedy: 53 Dead or Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Libya

The UN migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), reported that 53 individuals are dead or missing following a boat capsizing incident in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya. The incident occurred north of Zuwara on Friday, February 5th, approximately six hours after the boat departed Al-Zawiya, Libya, at 11 PM.

Rescue Efforts and Survivors' Accounts

Only two Nigerian women were rescued during an operation by Libyan authorities.

According to the IOM, one survivor reported losing her husband, and the other stated she lost her two children in the tragedy.

IOM teams provided emergency medical care to both survivors.

IOM Highlights Dangers and Exploitation

The boat was carrying migrants and refugees of various African nationalities. The IOM has expressed sorrow over the loss of life, highlighting the dangers along the central Mediterranean route. The agency stated that trafficking and smuggling networks exploit migrants on this route, facilitating dangerous crossings in unseaworthy vessels and exposing individuals to severe abuse.

Call for International Cooperation

The IOM called for enhanced international cooperation to address these networks and advocated for the establishment of safe and regular migration pathways to mitigate risks and save lives.