At least 57 people drowned on Monday after a boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Khums, the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where more than 1,100 have perished this year, the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.

Bodies have not been recovered from the shipwreck, but survivors included migrants from Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia, IOM spokeswoman Safa Msehli told Reuters.

"According to survivors brought to shore by fishermen and the coast guard, at least 20 women and two children were among those who drowned," she said earlier by tweet.

The migrants, the majority from West Africa, departed from Khums, presumably to reach Europe, Msehli said.

"Despite an increase in arrivals in Europe, there is no crisis of numbers and arrivals remain manageable through better solidarity and improved governance and management of migration," she added.

Migrant boat departures to Italy and other parts of Europe from Libya and Tunisia have increased in recent months with better weather. Hundreds of thousands have made the perilous crossing in the last years, many fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

At least 57 people drowned on Monday after a boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Khums, the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where more than 1,100 have perished this year, the U.

At least 57 people drowned on Monday after a boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Khums, the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where more than 1,100 have perished this year, the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Bodies have not been recovered from the shipwreck, but survivors included migrants from Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia, IOM spokeswoman Safa Msehli told Reuters. "According to survivors brought to shore by fishermen and the coast guard, at least 20 women and two children were among those who drowned," she said earlier by tweet. The migrants, the majority from West Africa, departed from Khums, presumably to reach Europe, Msehli said. "Despite an increase in arrivals in Europe, there is no crisis of numbers and arrivals remain manageable through better solidarity and improved governance and management of migration," she added. Migrant boat departures to Italy and other parts of Europe from Libya and Tunisia have increased in recent months with better weather. Hundreds of thousands have made the perilous crossing in the last years, many fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

At least 57 migrants die in shipwreck off Libyan coast: UN

At least 74 migrants drowned after their Europe-bound ship capsized off the coast of Libya on Thursday, the UN migration agency said. 
 
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), that boat was reported to be carrying more than 120 people, including women and children. Forty-seven survivors had been brought to shore by the coastguard and fishermen, while the bodies of at least 74 people were floating near the water’s edge on Thursday.

This year has seen a resurgence of boats in the central Mediterranean, a well-trodden but often deadly route for those hoping to travel to Europe, mainly embarking from Libya and neighbouring Tunisia.

The UN's International Organization for Migration reported "a devastating shipwreck which claimed the lives of at least 74 migrants today off the coast of Khoms," in a statement, adding that the coastguard and fishermen were searching for survivors.

Khoms is a port city 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of the Libyan capital Tripoli.

The IOM called it the latest disaster in a "series of tragedies" involving at least eight other shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea since the start of October.

"The boat was reported to be carrying over 120 people, among them women and children," the IOM said, adding that 47 survivors had been brought back to shore and 31 bodies retrieved.

The IOM said that in the past two days, at least 19 other people, including two children, drowned after two boats capsized in the central Mediterranean.

More than 20,000 migrants have died in the last seven years, according to the UN refugee agency.

Human traffickers have taken advantage of persistent violence in Libya since the 2011 fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, turning the country into a key corridor for migrants fleeing war and poverty in desperate bids to reach Europe.

While many have drowned at sea, thousands have been intercepted by the Libyan coast guard, which has been backed by Italy and the EU, and returned to Libya.

They mostly end up in detention, often in horrific conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 74 migrants drowned after their Europe-bound ship capsized off the coast of Libya on Thursday, the UN migration agency said. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), that boat was reported to be carrying more than 120 people, including women and children.

At least 74 migrants drowned after their Europe-bound ship capsized off the coast of Libya on Thursday, the UN migration agency said. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), that boat was reported to be carrying more than 120 people, including women and children. Forty-seven survivors had been brought to shore by the coastguard and fishermen, while the bodies of at least 74 people were floating near the water’s edge on Thursday. This year has seen a resurgence of boats in the central Mediterranean, a well-trodden but often deadly route for those hoping to travel to Europe, mainly embarking from Libya and neighbouring Tunisia. The UN's International Organization for Migration reported "a devastating shipwreck which claimed the lives of at least 74 migrants today off the coast of Khoms," in a statement, adding that the coastguard and fishermen were searching for survivors. Khoms is a port city 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of the Libyan capital Tripoli. The IOM called it the latest disaster in a "series of tragedies" involving at least eight other shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea since the start of October. "The boat was reported to be carrying over 120 people, among them women and children," the IOM said, adding that 47 survivors had been brought back to shore and 31 bodies retrieved. The IOM said that in the past two days, at least 19 other people, including two children, drowned after two boats capsized in the central Mediterranean. More than 20,000 migrants have died in the last seven years, according to the UN refugee agency. Human traffickers have taken advantage of persistent violence in Libya since the 2011 fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, turning the country into a key corridor for migrants fleeing war and poverty in desperate bids to reach Europe. While many have drowned at sea, thousands have been intercepted by the Libyan coast guard, which has been backed by Italy and the EU, and returned to Libya. They mostly end up in detention, often in horrific conditions. (With inputs from agencies)

Shipwreck off Libyan coast leaves 74 migrants dead

Some 162 migrants rescued off the Libyan coast have disembarked in the southern Italian port of Taranto, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said Tuesday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/italian-authorities-have-agreed-to-grant-the-open-arms-ship-264436">migrants</a>, including 50 minors and five pregnant women, "were rescued by the SOS Mediterranee Search and Rescue team in two critical rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya on Friday, December 20th," said the NGO, which charters the Ocean Viking rescue ship along with medical charity Doctors Without Borders.

The first operation involved a rubber dinghy that had deflated and was carrying 112 "terrified" people on board, it said.

Fifty others were plucked from a wooden boat shortly before midnight the same day "in dangerous meteorological and maritime conditions," the NGO added.

The 50 could not be transported to Malta due to adverse weather conditions.

Italian authorities then gave permission for all the rescued migrants to land in Taranto and the operation was carried out on Monday, SOS Mediterranee said.

It described both rescue operations as "extremely difficult."

"As the weather was rapidly and severely deteriorating, both cases would almost certainly have resulted in tragedies if help had arrived only a little later,"&nbsp;said Nicola Stalla, the NGO's search and rescue coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking.

Italy renewed a widely criticised 2017 agreement in October&nbsp;with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-has-deal-with-libya-coastguard-over-migrant-interceptions-report-261202">Libyan coastguard</a> to block migrants from trying to leave for Europe.

Rights groups say <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-150-people-feared-dead-in-shipwreck-off-libya-unhcr-238504">Libya</a> routinely picks up migrants in the Mediterranean and brings them back to overcrowded detention centers, where many have been victims of abuse and forced labour.

Libya, wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising against Moamer Kadhafi, has become a major transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere hoping to reach Europe.

Some 162 migrants rescued off the Libyan coast have disembarked in the southern Italian port of Taranto, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said Tuesday. The migrants, including 50 minors and five pregnant women, "were rescued by the SOS Mediterranee Search and Rescue team in two critical rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya on Friday, December 20th," said the NGO, which charters the Ocean Viking rescue ship along with medical charity Doctors Without Borders.

Some 162 migrants rescued off the Libyan coast have disembarked in the southern Italian port of Taranto, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said Tuesday. The migrants, including 50 minors and five pregnant women, "were rescued by the SOS Mediterranee Search and Rescue team in two critical rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya on Friday, December 20th," said the NGO, which charters the Ocean Viking rescue ship along with medical charity Doctors Without Borders. The first operation involved a rubber dinghy that had deflated and was carrying 112 "terrified" people on board, it said. Fifty others were plucked from a wooden boat shortly before midnight the same day "in dangerous meteorological and maritime conditions," the NGO added. The 50 could not be transported to Malta due to adverse weather conditions. Italian authorities then gave permission for all the rescued migrants to land in Taranto and the operation was carried out on Monday, SOS Mediterranee said. It described both rescue operations as "extremely difficult." "As the weather was rapidly and severely deteriorating, both cases would almost certainly have resulted in tragedies if help had arrived only a little later," said Nicola Stalla, the NGO's search and rescue coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking. Italy renewed a widely criticised 2017 agreement in October with the Libyan coastguard to block migrants from trying to leave for Europe. Rights groups say Libya routinely picks up migrants in the Mediterranean and brings them back to overcrowded detention centers, where many have been victims of abuse and forced labour. Libya, wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising against Moamer Kadhafi, has become a major transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere hoping to reach Europe.

Italy rescued 162 migrants from the Libyan coast: Sources

Libya's Coast Guard said late on Thursday that it had picked up 493 migrants on six inflatable boats as a part of six operations in a week in the areas northeast and northwest of Tripoli, the capital.

"The migrants, including 28 women and five children, are from Sub-Saharan, Arab, and Asian countries. They were all moved to detention centres run by the UN-backed Government of National Accord", Coast Guard spokesperson Ayoub Qassem said.&nbsp;

Libya’s western coast is the main departure point for migrants fleeing war and poverty and hoping for new lives in Europe, though the number of crossings has dropped sharply since July 2017.

According to Qassem, the migrants were taken to various detention centres: 173 to Komas, some 120 km&nbsp;east of Tripoli, 166 to Tripoli, 50 to Zawiya, and 104 to Zuwarah, both towns that are west of Tripoli.

Earlier on Thursday, a Sudanese migrant died at the Abu Sittah Naval Base in Tripoli from a bullet wound, hours after being returned to shore by the Libyan Coast Guard. There was no immediate comment on the incident from the Coast Guard.

Libya plunged into chaos following the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with many armed groups and two administrations vying for power.

Libya's Coast Guard said late on Thursday that it had picked up 493 migrants on six inflatable boats as a part of six operations in a week in the areas northeast and northwest of Tripoli, the capital.

Libya's Coast Guard said late on Thursday that it had picked up 493 migrants on six inflatable boats as a part of six operations in a week in the areas northeast and northwest of Tripoli, the capital. "The migrants, including 28 women and five children, are from Sub-Saharan, Arab, and Asian countries. They were all moved to detention centres run by the UN-backed Government of National Accord", Coast Guard spokesperson Ayoub Qassem said. Libya’s western coast is the main departure point for migrants fleeing war and poverty and hoping for new lives in Europe, though the number of crossings has dropped sharply since July 2017. According to Qassem, the migrants were taken to various detention centres: 173 to Komas, some 120 km east of Tripoli, 166 to Tripoli, 50 to Zawiya, and 104 to Zuwarah, both towns that are west of Tripoli. Earlier on Thursday, a Sudanese migrant died at the Abu Sittah Naval Base in Tripoli from a bullet wound, hours after being returned to shore by the Libyan Coast Guard. There was no immediate comment on the incident from the Coast Guard. Libya plunged into chaos following the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with many armed groups and two administrations vying for power.

Libyan Coast Guard picks up 500 migrants near Tripoli

Fifty-five <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescuers-retrieve-62-migrant-bodies-from-capsized-boat-off-libya-238736">bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast</a>, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday.

Search operations are continuing to find other missing migrants, a member of Libyan Red Crescent told Reuters by phone.

It was unclear how many people were on board and how many are still missing and feared to have been drowned after what the UN refugee agency UNHCR described as “the worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year.”

Red Crescent member Abdulmenam Abu Sabay said the boat, which capsized near Komas, some 120 kilometres east of Tripoli, was carrying 350 people, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Libyan navy on Thursday put the number of migrants on board at 250 and the UNHCR said up to 150 were feared dead.

Libyan coast guards and local fishermen rescued 134 migrants on Thursday.

"We do not have enough capability to carry out our operations. Citizens help us with their own vehicles,” Abu Sabay said.

"The bodies are still in bags in a hangar and we are waiting for security authorities' permission to bury them,” he added. The hangar belongs to a department set up to fight illegal migration.

Libya is a hub for migrants and refugees, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats.

Fifty-five bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday.

Fifty-five bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday. Search operations are continuing to find other missing migrants, a member of Libyan Red Crescent told Reuters by phone. It was unclear how many people were on board and how many are still missing and feared to have been drowned after what the UN refugee agency UNHCR described as “the worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year.” Red Crescent member Abdulmenam Abu Sabay said the boat, which capsized near Komas, some 120 kilometres east of Tripoli, was carrying 350 people, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Libyan navy on Thursday put the number of migrants on board at 250 and the UNHCR said up to 150 were feared dead. Libyan coast guards and local fishermen rescued 134 migrants on Thursday. "We do not have enough capability to carry out our operations. Citizens help us with their own vehicles,” Abu Sabay said. "The bodies are still in bags in a hangar and we are waiting for security authorities' permission to bury them,” he added. The hangar belongs to a department set up to fight illegal migration. Libya is a hub for migrants and refugees, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats.

Rescuers retrieve 55 migrant bodies from capsized boat off Libyan coast

Up to 150 people have drowned after their boat sank off the Libyan coast Thursday, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) confirmed. Around 300 people are believed to have embarked on the dangerous sea crossing from the Libyan port city of Al-Khums, 80 miles east of Tripoli, UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said. The vessel got into trouble in the waters off the coast of Libya. Some passengers were rescued by local fishermen, who were later joined by the Libyan coastguard, he added.

Libya shipwreck survivor recounts tragedy

Migrants on board the German charity ship Sea-Eye begged the European Union for help on Tuesday evening (April 9) after being left stranded out at sea for over seven days.

"Please find a way to help us" migrant on stranded Sea-Eye vessel begs EU

At least 28&nbsp;dead bodies have been found &quot;in a pool of fuel&quot; off the Libyan coast today, AFP reported.

The boat had set sail for Italy just hours before the incident, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that among the dead, 21 were women.

A ship patrolling the central Mediterranean Sea managed to pull 209 people, including 50 children, to safety on Wednesday.

The MSF head of mission said that the rescue team saw dead bodies lying at the bottom of the boat in a pool of fuel.

He said that it seemed like water and fuel was mixed together and the fumes from this might have led them to lose consciousness.

The survivors were brought to Sicily.

The number of refugees and migrants who have left Libya this week on overcrowded boats to Europe is on the rise, Italian authorities said.

A UNHCR report says that more than a million refugees and migrants reached European shores by boat in 2015,

A team of trauma specialists would be on hand to help Wednesday&#39;s survivors when they reach&nbsp;land, the MSF head of mission informed.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Fumes rising from water and fuel mixing together might have led them to lose consciousness, the head of rescue operations said

At least 28 dead bodies have been found "in a pool of fuel" off the Libyan coast today, AFP reported. The boat had set sail for Italy just hours before the incident, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that among the dead, 21 were women. A ship patrolling the central Mediterranean Sea managed to pull 209 people, including 50 children, to safety on Wednesday. The MSF head of mission said that the rescue team saw dead bodies lying at the bottom of the boat in a pool of fuel. He said that it seemed like water and fuel was mixed together and the fumes from this might have led them to lose consciousness. The survivors were brought to Sicily. The number of refugees and migrants who have left Libya this week on overcrowded boats to Europe is on the rise, Italian authorities said. A UNHCR report says that more than a million refugees and migrants reached European shores by boat in 2015, A team of trauma specialists would be on hand to help Wednesday's survivors when they reach land, the MSF head of mission informed. (WION with inputs from agencies)

At least 28 dead off Libyan coast

Around 1,100 migrants were rescued off the coast of Libya on Sunday, taking the tally of rescued migrants to 3,400 over the weekend. 
 
The Italian coastguard said that those saved on Sunday had left Libya aboard eight overloaded inflatable dinghies and two fishing vessels. 
 
They were picked up by Italian coastguard and naval vessels, a British and an Irish warship and several ships chartered by humanitarian NGOs, the coastguard added. 
 
On Saturday, 2,300 people were rescued from 18 small boats. 
 
More than 14,000 people were rescued within five days last month. Most were from sub-Saharan Africa. 
 
According to Italy&#39;s interior ministry, about 124,500 migrants have arrived since the start of 2016. 
 
The country now has 155,000 migrants in reception centres, compared to the 103,000 in 2015 and 66,000 in 2014. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Around 1,100 migrants aboard eight dinghies were rescued on Sunday while another 2,300 from 18 small boats were saved on Saturday

Around 1,100 migrants were rescued off the coast of Libya on Sunday, taking the tally of rescued migrants to 3,400 over the weekend. The Italian coastguard said that those saved on Sunday had left Libya aboard eight overloaded inflatable dinghies and two fishing vessels. They were picked up by Italian coastguard and naval vessels, a British and an Irish warship and several ships chartered by humanitarian NGOs, the coastguard added. On Saturday, 2,300 people were rescued from 18 small boats. More than 14,000 people were rescued within five days last month. Most were from sub-Saharan Africa. According to Italy's interior ministry, about 124,500 migrants have arrived since the start of 2016. The country now has 155,000 migrants in reception centres, compared to the 103,000 in 2015 and 66,000 in 2014. (WION with inputs from agencies)

3,400 migrants rescued in two days off Libyan coast: Italian coastguard

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