Over 60 Feared Dead in Mediterranean Shipwreck off Libyan Coast

Monday 18 December 2023 - 09:40

A tragic incident unfolded in the Mediterranean Sea last Saturday when a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized off the coast of Libya. The devastating shipwreck has left over 60 passengers missing and presumed dead, as survivors recount the harrowing experience of an overcrowded vessel departing from Zuwarah in northwestern Libya destined for Europe.

According to reports from the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Libyan office, the vessel was overwhelmed by high waves during its perilous journey. The estimated 86 migrants on board, primarily from African nations such as Nigeria and Gambia, faced a dire situation. As of now, only 25 people have been rescued from the wreckage and transported to a Libyan detention center, while the fate of 61 migrants remains unknown, raising fears of drowning. Tragically, women and children are among the missing.

The grim reality is succinctly captured by IOM spokesperson Flavio Di Giacomo, who remarked on social media, "This dramatic number demonstrates that unfortunately not enough is being done to save lives at sea." Libya and neighboring Tunisia serve as major transit points, where migrants embark on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean with the hope of reaching Europe and Italy.

The toll for 2023 is staggering, with over 2,250 migrants having lost their lives in the sea crossing areas near Libya, highlighting an urgent humanitarian crisis. International aid organizations are intensifying their calls for increased rescue efforts and regional cooperation to stem further loss of life. Activists emphasize that the absence of legal migration pathways compels migrants to resort to ruthless smuggling rings and perilous journeys on overloaded boats.

Flavio Di Giacomo underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, "Shipwrecks will sadly keep repeating if countries lack vision and humanitarian responsibility." The pressing need for concerted international action to address this crisis is evident, as the human cost of these perilous journeys continues to rise.