At least 73 migrants presumed dead after shipwreck off Libya

A boat carrying 17 irregular migrants, rescued offshore Misrata, Libya on May 06, 2022 [National Defense Ministry/Anadolu Agency]

At least 73 migrants were reported missing and presumed dead following a shipwreck off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, the official Twitter account of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Seven survivors made it to shore from the boat, which was carrying around 80 people, who had reportedly departed from Qasr Alkayar, east of Tripoli, to head to Europe, the IOM added.

So far, 11 bodies have been retrieved by the Libyan Red Crescent and the local police, while the seven survivors are in hospital, the IOM said.

Libya has become a major launching point for migrants seeking to reach Europe via a dangerous route across the desert and over the Mediterranean.

READ: 2022 witnesses highest number of EU entry attempts by migrants

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