UN: 57 migrants drowned off Libya coast

Members of the Libyan Red Crescent recover the body of a drowned migrant off the coast of Tajoura, east of the capital Tripoli, on 3 July 2018. [MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images]

At least 57 irregular migrants have died after a boat sank off the Libyan coast, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) announced yesterday.

The United Nations organisation said the migrants died after the boat capsized near the Libyan coastal city of Khums.

“According to survivors brought to shore by fishermen and the coast guard, at least 20 women and two children were among those who drowned,” IOM spokeswoman, Safa Msehli, wrote on Twitter.

‼️ A shipwreck off #libya claims at least 57 lives today after a boat capsized near Khums.

According to survivors brought to shore by fishermen and the coast guard, at least 20 women and two children were among those who drowned. pic.twitter.com/QXqs1Oc7kx

— Safa Msehli 🇺🇳 (@msehlisafa) July 26, 2021

According to United Nations official figures, at least 632 irregular migrants have drowned in maritime accidents in the Mediterranean Sea this year alone.

Thousands of irregular migrants face tragedies and agony as they attempt to flee their homes for European shores via Libya every year due to poverty, drought, conflict and other causes in Africa.

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