Libya : At least 74 passengers have drowned after a ship going to Europe wrecked off the coast of Libya. Significantly, this is at least the eighth incident of a boat sinking in the area since October 1.
#At least 74 #migrants dead and 47 #rescued after the ship #carrying them wrecked off the coast of #Libya pic.twitter.com/8E804XVbIZ
— Vinay Tiwari (@vinaytiwari9697) November 13, 2020
The United Nations Migration Agency says a total of 120 people, including women and children, were on board at the time of the incident. The boat sank near the Libyan port of Al-Khums. According to the International Organization for Migration, only 47 people have been rescued. Libya has not had a stable government since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011. As a result, a large number of people are migrating.
At least 900 migrants have crossed this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In addition, 11,000 migrants were stranded at sea and returned to Libya. Where migrants are often detained, exploited or persecuted. According to both the IOM and the UN’s UNHCR, Libya should not be considered a safe haven for the return of migrants. Also, passengers rescued or stranded at sea should not be sent there.