CAIRO (AP) — A vessel carrying at least 700 migrants was intercepted off the eastern coast of Libya, the coast guard said. The coast guard said the boat was stopped Friday off the Mediterranean town of Moura, 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of the eastern city of Benghazi. The coast guard posted images on Facebook showing a large, overcrowded vessel with most of those on board appearing to be young people. In August last year, Italian military vessels aided a boat crammed with 539 migrants off the southern island of Lampedusa. Libya has in recent years emerged as the dominant transit point for migrants seeking a better quality of life in Europe.

Source: Libya Today December 31, 2022 11:05 UTC