42 Migrants Missing, Presumed Dead After Boat Capsizes Off Libya

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported a new tragedy in the Central Mediterranean, stating that at least 42 migrants are missing and presumed dead after a rubber boat capsized off the coast of Libya.

The vessel, which was carrying a total of 49 people, sank near the Al Buri oilfield, an offshore facility north-northwest of the Libyan coast. Authorities managed to rescue only seven survivors, who had been drifting at sea for six agonizing days. The migrants involved in the tragic crossing were identified as hailing from Sudan, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Somalia.

This devastating incident tragically raises the number of reported deaths in the Central Mediterranean above the 1,000 mark for this year. The IOM noted that the total number of deaths across the entire Mediterranean route in 2024 stands at 2,452, underscoring the relentless dangers faced by those attempting the journey.

Libya remains a primary transit route for migrants and refugees fleeing poverty and conflict, a situation exacerbated by the instability that followed the 2011 fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The IOM warned that this event, alongside recent deadly incidents off Surman and Lampedusa, highlights the persistent risks on this route.

Separately, the report also mentioned recent calls made by several states, including Britain, Spain, and Norway, at a UN meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, urging Libya to close detention centers where migrants are reportedly subjected to torture, abuse, and killings.