A devastating maritime disaster unfolded off Libya’s coast, claiming the lives of 53 migrants, including two infants, when their overcrowded rubber boat capsized.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the vessel, carrying 55 people, sank approximately six hours after departing from Al-Zawiya, a coastal city in northwestern Libya, on February 5.
The only survivors, two Nigerian women, were rescued by Libyan authorities and received emergency medical care. One woman lost her husband, while the other reported losing her two babies in the tragedy.
The IOM expressed concern over the increasing number of migrant deaths in the Central Mediterranean, with at least 484 reported dead or missing in 2026 alone.
The incident highlights the perilous journey migrants undertake, often fleeing conflict, poverty, or persecution.
Libya has become a key transit point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, despite the country’s instability and human rights concerns.
The IOM urged stronger international cooperation to dismantle smuggling and trafficking networks, and create safe and legal migration pathways.
