Photo: Stefan Sauer/DPAThe German aid group Sea Eye on Sunday said it was suspending its migrant rescue operations in the Mediterranean, citing security concerns after Libya barred foreign vessels from a stretch of water off its coast. It would be irresponsible towards our crews," Sea Eye founder Michael Buschheuer said. Sea Eye said it would continue to monitor the "changed security situation" off the Libyan coast. Tens of thousands of migrants have resorted to paying people traffickers for the journey, often on overcrowded and unseaworthy boats. READ ALSO: Libya to free German aid workers held by coastguardMigrant aid ships have played a key role in assisting the rescue operations, and Sea Eye says it has helped save some 12,000 lives since April 2016.

Source: The Local August 13, 2017 10:30 UTC