TRIPOLI: At least 18 people have died after a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Sorman, Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported.
Rescuers managed to save 90 people, including 12 Pakistani nationals.
According to the IOM, the vessel overturned just a few hours after setting sail, as it was hit by strong waves in the Mediterranean Sea.
Among the survivors were 29 Sudanese men, one Sudanese woman, and a child, along with 18 Bangladeshi men, 12 Pakistani men, and 3 Somalis. The nationalities of those who perished have not yet been confirmed.
The IOM described the incident as “another tragic episode along the world’s deadliest migration route”, referring to the central Mediterranean passage that connects North Africa to Europe.
So far this year, 1,046 migrants have died or gone missing on this route, with 527 deaths reported near Libya’s coast alone. Just last week, another 40 African migrants lost their lives when their boat sank off the coast of Tunisia.
The IOM said it is working with local authorities to provide medical care and essential aid to the survivors. The agency also renewed its appeal to the international community to take urgent action to prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean.
