Migrants dies at sea
Tobruk, Libya – At least 18 Egyptian migrants have been confirmed dead and 50 remain missing following a catastrophic shipwreck off the eastern Libyan coast near Tobruk, authorities said on Tuesday.
The tragedy occurred over the weekend, but details are only now emerging. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the incident after receiving information from local officials and humanitarian responders. Only 10 survivors have been located so far.
According to a diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi, the victims were all Egyptian nationals. The diplomat, speaking to Reuters by phone, confirmed that 10 of the recovered bodies have already been identified and repatriated to Egypt. Meanwhile, survivors have been detained at an anti-illegal migration facility in Libya for further processing.
A Libyan Coast Guard official told local media that the bodies were discovered along Alaghila Beach, roughly 25 kilometers east of Tobruk—a region long known as a key departure point for irregular migration routes across the Mediterranean Sea.
Desperation Driving Deadly Crossings
Since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has remained politically fragmented and lawless, evolving into a major transit hub for migrants—particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa and Egypt—seeking a better life in Europe.
But the journey is fraught with peril. Migrants are often trafficked by smugglers, crammed into unseaworthy boats, and left to the mercy of the open sea. Many fall victim to drowning, abuse, and detention, with international agencies warning that actual death tolls may be higher than reported.
“This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunity,” the IOM said in a statement. “Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees, many of whom face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys.”
A Continuing Crisis
Libya’s porous borders, weak governance, and ongoing internal conflict have made it a haven for human trafficking syndicates, who profit from the desperation of vulnerable migrants. Eastern Libya, particularly the Tobruk region, has become an increasingly active corridor for smuggling operations.
According to IOM data, thousands of migrants have perished or gone missing along the Central Mediterranean route this year alone, making it one of the deadliest migration paths in the world.
Human rights advocates are urging both Libyan authorities and international partners to bolster search-and-rescue operations, dismantle trafficking networks, and offer migrants legal pathways to asylum and protection.
As of Tuesday, search efforts for the missing continue, but expectations of finding additional survivors are diminishing.
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Source: My News Ghana
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