At least 18 people lost their lives and 64, including 12 Pakistanis, were rescued after a wooden boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized off the coast of Libya, the United Nations’ (UN) migration agency reported.
According to a statement issued by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the vessel “capsized only a few hours into its journey due to high waves” near the coastal city of Surman.
Among the rescued were 29 Sudanese men, one Sudanese woman and one Sudanese child; 18 Bangladeshi men, 12 Pakistani men, and three Somali men. The nationalities of those who passed away have not yet been confirmed.
“This latest shipwreck is a stark reminder of the grave dangers faced by people undertaking perilous sea journeys in search of safety and opportunity,” the IOM said, noting that the central Mediterranean route connecting North Africa to Europe continues to be “one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors”.
So far this year, the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project has recorded 1,046 deaths and disappearances along said route, including 527 off the Libyan coast.
The tragedy follows an accident off the coast of Tunisia last week that claimed the lives of 40 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
The IOM added that it is coordinating with local partners to provide survivors with healthcare and essential services, and urged for “urgent action to prevent further tragedies at sea”.