(MENAFN) In a devastating incident, a migrant boat carrying approximately 86 people, including women and children, sank off the coast of Libya, resulting in the tragic death of 61 individuals, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Saturday. The vessel departed from the Libyan city of Zwara, and survivors revealed that the high waves proved fatal for a significant number of migrants. This heartbreaking event underscores the continued peril faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea voyages in the hope of reaching Europe via Italy. The tragic event amplifies the ongoing migrant crisis in the region, with Libya and Tunisia serving as principal departure points for individuals risking perilous journeys. Italy has seen a significant influx of migrants, with over 153,000 arrivals from Tunisia and Libya in the current year, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Source: Libya Today December 18, 2023 11:59 UTC