Tobruk, Libya – The bodies of at least 15 migrants, including a young girl, have been found on the coast of eastern Libya in recent days.
They were washed ashore in the Mediterranean Sea after a boat carrying dozens of people sank during an irregular migration attempt.
Security, medical, and maritime sources reported that the bodies were recovered from several locations along the coast of Tobruk,
a city near the Egyptian border. Initial reports indicate that the boat was carrying approximately 61 people before it sank.
Survivors reveal details of the journey
According to a source in the Libyan Navy, the information was based on the testimonies of 10 survivors who managed to reach the shore after the incident.
He explained that the boat had set sail with dozens of migrants on board,
attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores.
The source indicated that search operations in Libya are still ongoing,
amid fears that the death toll could rise, as there may still be other missing persons.
Fears of a rising death toll
Two security officials in Libya confirmed that the bodies recovered were in
an advanced state of decomposition, suggesting the incident occurred several days prior.
They warned that more bodies could be found in the coming days as search and sweep operations continue along the coast.
Photos released by the Libyan Red Crescent in Tobruk showed volunteers retrieving bodies from rocky coastal areas
before placing them in body bags and transporting them to the relevant authorities for further processing.
Libya remains a key transit point
Libya has continued to be a major transit route for irregular migration to Europe since 2011,
taking advantage of its strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea,
despite the significant dangers migrants face during sea journeys.
In a separate incident, the Emergency Medicine and Support Center in the western city of Khoms
reported providing medical care to 13 migrants who survived another boat sinking off the Libyan coast.
This is yet another indication of the continued flow of migrants across the Mediterranean despite the escalating risks.
