The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that over 13,000 migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya after attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea since the beginning of this year.
Among those intercepted were 445 children. This data covers the period from January 1 to August 10, 2023.
According to the IOM’s latest statement, the perilous journey across the Mediterranean continues to claim lives. The organization recorded 421 migrant deaths and 603 people missing during the same period.
These figures underscore the grave risks migrants face as they attempt to reach Europe by crossing from North Africa.
Libya, a North African country located about 300 kilometers from the Italian coast, remains one of the main departure points for thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who hope to reach Europe, often at the risk of their lives.
The ongoing instability in Libya, coupled with its geographical proximity to Europe, makes it a focal point in the broader Mediterranean migration crisis.
Last month, during an international conference aimed at curbing migration flows across the Mediterranean, held in Tripoli, the Libyan Interior Minister highlighted the scale of irregular migration in the country.
He estimated that around 70 to 80 percent of the foreigners currently in Libya are undocumented. The minister also noted that about 2.5 million foreigners are in Libya, most of whom entered the country illegally, reiterating Libya’s stance against the settlement of migrants on its territory.
