The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 53 migrants, including two infants, either perished or disappeared after their rubber boat capsized off the Libyan coast. The incident occurred near Zuwara on February 6, and only two Nigerian women were rescued during a subsequent search and rescue operation by Libyan authorities. One of the survivors recounted the tragic loss of her husband, while the other expressed her heartbreak over the loss of her two infants in this devastating event.

The IOM expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in this latest deadly incident along the central Mediterranean route, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing migrants attempting to cross the sea. Emergency medical care was provided to the survivors as soon as they were brought ashore, in coordination with the relevant authorities. This tragedy adds to the mounting toll of migrant fatalities in the region, underscoring the urgent need for effective measures to ensure the safety of those undertaking perilous journeys in search of a better life.

According to IOM statistics, the central Mediterranean continues to be one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, with many incidents of shipwrecks and loss of lives. The organization called for greater international efforts to address the root causes of migration and to enhance the safety of migration pathways, as well as providing support to countries affected by forced migration and displacement, such as Libya.