At least 18 people have died after a migrant boat sank off the coast of Libya on Tuesday, the United Nations migration agency confirmed. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the wooden vessel capsized only a few hours after starting its journey due to strong waves. The tragic incident took place near the coastal city of Surman, Libya.
Rescue teams managed to save 64 people from the wreckage, the IOM reported. Among the survivors were 29 Sudanese men, one Sudanese woman, and one Sudanese child. The group also included 18 Bangladeshi men, 12 Pakistani men, and three Somali men. The nationalities of the deceased have not yet been identified.
The IOM described the tragedy as another grim reminder of the dangers faced by migrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea in unsafe boats. Many people fleeing conflict or poverty risk their lives every year on dangerous journeys from Libya and other North African countries, hoping to reach Europe in search of safety and better opportunities.
According to the IOM, such incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger international action to protect vulnerable migrants. The agency called for improved search and rescue operations, as well as safer and legal migration pathways. It also urged governments to address the root causes that push people to take such perilous routes.
The Mediterranean route from Libya remains one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths. Thousands of people have died in recent years while trying to cross the sea. Despite repeated warnings and international efforts, human smuggling networks continue to operate along the Libyan coast, taking advantage of desperate migrants.
This latest tragedy once again underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region and the urgent need for coordinated global efforts to prevent further loss of life.
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