The Libyan General Directorate of Coastal Security announced the rescue of 109 irregular migrants of various nationalities off the coast of Libya on Sunday.
According to an official statement, the rescue operation was carried out by the patrol boat “Wadi Kaam – 300 P” after the migrants’ vessel stalled in the Mediterranean waters.
The rescued migrants were brought to the Shaab Port in Tripoli, where they were handed over to the Libyan Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration.
Representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were present to oversee the process and ensure that the migrants received necessary medical care.
The rescue mission was part of ongoing efforts directed by the head of the General Directorate of Coastal Security, Major General Al-Bashir Bin Nour Suleiman, who has called for increased patrols during the summer months to manage the rising number of migrants attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.
This latest rescue comes just a week after The Guardian reported the success of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s strategy to reduce irregular migration from Libya and Tunisia.
According to Italy’s Interior Ministry, the number of migrants arriving in Italy from Libya and Tunisia saw a significant decrease in 2024, with only 44,465 arrivals recorded so far this year. This represents a sharp drop compared to previous years.
Italy has worked closely with Libya and Tunisia to control migration flows through a combination of border enforcement and diplomatic agreements aimed at curbing the activities of human traffickers.
However, despite these efforts, the Mediterranean continues to be one of the deadliest migration routes in the world, with many migrants risking their lives in search of safety and better opportunities in Europe.
