163 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast

The Libyan Navy on Thursday announced rescuing a total of 163 illegal migrants of different African nationalities off the country's western coast, reported Xinhua.

The migrants were rescued in two separate operations, the Libyan Navy said, adding that they were handed over to the anti-illegal immigration department upon disembarkation at the capital Tripoli Naval Base.

On the other hand, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday announced that at least five illegal migrants died at sea as their boat capsized after departure from Libya.

Libya has become a preferred point of departure for immigrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores, due to the insecurity and chaos that have plagued Libya since the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

In 2020, a total of 11,891 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, the IOM estimates, adding that 381 migrants died and 597 went missing on the Central Mediterranean route during the same period.

Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers.