A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Libya as a boat carrying 13 Egyptian migrants to Europe capsized, resulting in the loss of all passengers except for one survivor. The boat met its fate approximately 60 kilometers east of Tobruk on Monday evening, as reported by the humanitarian group Al-Abreen. The lone survivor was rescued amidst the devastating circumstances, with the bodies of the deceased migrants later recovered and brought ashore.
Authorities from the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration in Tobruk have also confirmed the distressing incident, shedding light on the perilous journey many migrants undertake in search of safety and better opportunities. Libya has increasingly become a crucial transit point for individuals fleeing conflict and poverty in various regions of Africa and the Middle East.
This recent tragedy adds to a series of similar events, with a previous incident involving a migrant boat carrying 32 individuals that capsized due to engine failure. Regrettably, one person lost their life, while 22 others remain missing. The coast guard in Tobruk managed to rescue nine individuals from the distressed vessel, which was reportedly en route to Europe and carrying migrants from Egypt and Syria.
The exploitation of Libya's instability by human traffickers has exacerbated the risks faced by migrants, as they are often subjected to dangerous sea voyages on overcrowded and inadequately equipped boats. The aftermath of the 2011 uprising that led to the downfall of Moammar Gadhafi has created a breeding ground for such illicit activities, with traffickers taking advantage of the country's porous borders shared with six neighboring nations.
According to the International Organization for Migration, the perilous sea crossings off Libya's coast resulted in the tragic loss of 962 lives and left 1,563 individuals missing in the previous year alone. Additionally, over 17,200 migrants were intercepted and forcibly returned to Libya in 2023, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by those seeking refuge and a better future through perilous migration routes.
