Libya: Nearly 160 migrants rescued in open waters

At least 158 undocumented migrants have been rescued off Libya’s northwestern coast, the country’s navy said Monday, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, naval forces affiliated with Libya’s UN-recognized unity government said the migrants were rescued 26 miles off the coast of the northwestern city of Khoms, located east of the capital Tripoli.

Read: UAE-backed Haftar in takeover of Libya’s oil ports

Ever since the collapse of the central authority in Libya in 2011, the country’s northwestern coast has become a hub for illegal migration to Italy and other countries in Europe.

Libya represents a major transit point for African migrants seeking access to Europe, especially Italy.