At least 18 migrants, including several Pakistanis and Egyptians, have died after their boat capsized off the coast of Tobruk in eastern Libya, according to reports from Arab media and international agencies.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that 10 survivors have been found so far. The boat was carrying migrants hoping to reach Europe in search of safety and a better life. Tobruk is a Libyan coastal city close to the Egyptian border and is often used as a departure point for migrant boats.
A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi told Reuters that most of the victims were Egyptians. Ten of the deceased have already been identified, and their bodies were sent back to Egypt. The survivors are currently being held at a government-run anti-illegal migration center in Libya.
Libyan officials said the bodies were discovered along Alaghila Beach, about 25 kilometers east of Tobruk. The Libyan Coast Guard is continuing to search the area for more victims or survivors.
Libya has become a key transit point for migrants from different countries, especially since the fall of its former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011. Many people fleeing war, poverty, and persecution travel through Libya to try and reach Europe by sea. But the journey is extremely dangerous, and boats are often overcrowded and unfit for travel.
“This latest tragedy is a painful reminder of the deadly risks migrants take just to find safety or opportunity,” said the IOM in a statement. “Libya continues to be a major route for migrants and refugees, but many face terrible abuse, exploitation, and the threat of death along the way.”
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and authorities are urging the international community to take stronger steps to protect migrants and stop human trafficking across the Mediterranean.
