At least 50 Sudanese refugees have died after their boat caught fire off the coast of eastern Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Sunday when a rubber boat carrying 75 people went up in flames near Tobruk as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean to Greece.
According to an IOM spokesperson, 24 survivors were rescued and given urgent medical attention, while it remains unclear if one passenger is still missing.
Libya continues to serve as a major transit hub for migrants seeking to reach Europe, despite the extreme risks. The IOM describes the central Mediterranean crossing as one of the deadliest migrant routes in the world.
From January 1 to September 13 this year, at least 456 migrants have died and 420 remain missing on the route, while Libyan authorities have intercepted and returned over 17,000 people to the country.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has forced more than 140,000 Sudanese refugees into Libya over the past two years, nearly doubling their presence in the country. Many endure harsh conditions, including exploitation and abuse, while others risk the perilous sea crossing to Europe.
Libya itself remains unstable more than a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, with rival governments in the east and west and widespread lawlessness exploited by smugglers and human traffickers.
