A migrant boat capsized near the coast of Libya, leading to the death or disappearance of 53 individuals, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The boat, which was carrying migrants and refugees from various African countries, set off late Thursday night and overturned approximately six hours later due to water penetration. The survivors, two Nigerian women, reported devastating losses during the tragedy, including the death of one woman's two infants and the other woman's husband.

This incident is part of a grim trend in the central Mediterranean, where IOM reports that at least 484 migrants have either died or gone missing this year alone. The figures highlight a troubling increase in fatalities, with a significant number, approximately 375, occurring just in January. Experts believe that the real number of casualties may be even higher, reflecting the ongoing dangers migrants face while attempting to navigate perilous routes in search of safety and a better life.

The IOM condemned these recurring tragedies, emphasizing the need for stronger international cooperation and protective measures to safeguard migrants and refugees as they risk their lives in their journeys. The call for enhanced support from the global community underscores the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and the systemic issues contributing to the plight of those fleeing conflict, persecution, and poverty in their home countries.