At least 61 people, including women and children, have died due to a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, according to information provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The organization reported that survivors, quoting the surviving passengers, informed IOM’s Libya office that there were approximately 86 people on the boat. The incident occurred after the boat capsized near the Jauara area in Libya’s north-eastern coastal region.
In the hope of reaching Europe, Libya and Tunisia have become major departure points for migrants. Many victims of Sunday’s shipwreck were citizens of Nigeria, Gambia, and other African countries. Those rescued have been placed in a detention center in Libya.
IOM spokesperson Giacomo Giganti stated that at least 2,250 people have died on the Central Mediterranean migration route in the past year.
