Libya, In a heartbreaking incident, 61 migrants, including women and children, lost their lives in a tragic shipwreck off the coast of Libya, as reported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya.
The ill-fated journey involved a boat carrying around 86 people, departing from the Libyan city of Zwara, located approximately 110 km (68 miles) from the capital, Tripoli. Survivors revealed the harrowing details, and the IOM shared the devastating news on the social media platform X.
“The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes,” emphasized the IOM, shedding light on the persistent dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life.
This year has seen several deadly incidents, including one in June, where a fishing boat, crammed with hundreds of migrants, sank off Greece after setting sail from Tobruk, Libya. The intended destination was Italy, but the tragic voyage resulted in 78 recorded deaths, leaving the fate of 518 others unknown, according to an IOM report.
Drowning emerged as the primary cause of death on migration routes globally in the first half of 2023, with 2,200 recorded fatalities during this period, according to the same IOM report. The central Mediterranean route proved to be the deadliest, accounting for a total of 1,727 deaths and disappearances along its shores. Most of these tragic incidents were recorded in Tunisia, followed by Libya, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by those attempting the perilous journey.
However, the IOM emphasized that these figures likely represent an undercount, underscoring the challenges of accurately documenting such incidents.
Italy has witnessed a nearly doubled influx of sea migrant arrivals in 2023 compared to the same period last year, with approximately 140,000 people landing ashore so far. Notably, 91% of these arrivals originated from Tunisia, with the Italian island of Lampedusa being particularly affected.
In response to the escalating crisis, the European Union and Tunisia forged a “strategic partnership” deal in July, aimed at combatting human traffickers and tightening sea borders amid a surge in boats departing from North Africa for Europe.
Addressing the humanitarian aspect, Britain and Italy jointly announced plans on Saturday to finance the return journey for migrants stranded in Tunisia. While the exact amount of funding was not specified, the move signals a collaborative effort to address the pressing challenges faced by those seeking refuge.
By Reuters