Libya: 53 Migrants Die in Latest Shipwreck off Coast. Derna, Libya — At least 53 migrants, including two infants, are feared dead after a boat capsized off the coast near Derna, Libya, in the central Mediterranean Sea, according to the United Nations migration agency (IOM).
The tragic incident, which occurred north of the coastal town of Zuwara, highlights the perilous nature of the Central Mediterranean migration route, a deadly passage for those seeking to reach Europe.
Emergency teams are currently searching for survivors and recovering bodies after the migrant boat capsized, according to Saleh Jumaa Al — Mahjoub, a member of the Libyan Red Crescent. Initial reports suggest that the vessel sank due to water leakage after approximately six hours of travel.
The Central Mediterranean migration route, which stretches from North African countries like Libya towards Italy and Greece, is widely considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
Many migrants and asylum seekers attempt the crossing in overcrowded and unsafe boats, relying on smuggling networks to navigate the perilous journey.
The IOM reported that over 2,100 migrants died or went missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean last year alone, with many shipwrecks going unrecorded. Humanitarian groups warn that the true toll could be even higher.
The UN migration agency has emphasized the vulnerability of these individuals, who often face mistreatment and trafficking at the hands of smuggling gangs that have thrived in Libya since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
The European Union and other organizations have also expressed concern about the situation and the need for improved safety measures on the Mediterranean route.
As of now, officials have not yet commented on the incident.
Further details are expected as the situation develops.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
