TRIPOLI: More than 200 illegal immigrants were rescued off the Libyan coast, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Most of them were returned by the coast guard,” IOM tweeted. The rescued, which included women and children, were still on the Libyan coast guard’s vessel and had not disembarked yet due to fighting in the area, IOM said. IOM has repeatedly said Libya is not a safe port for immigrants’ disembarkation because of the deteriorating security condition in the country. IOM estimates that there are currently 650,000 illegal immigrants in Libya, many of whom lack medical care and basic needs.

Source: Manila Times April 10, 2020 16:14 UTC