42 Migrants Including Nigerians Feared Dead As Boat Capsizes In Libya

 

By Tioluwani Joseph| Oriontimes

At least 42 migrants, including several Nigerians, are feared dead after a wooden boat capsized off the coast of Libya, authorities and humanitarian groups confirmed on Wednesday.

The vessel, reportedly carrying over 60 people, was attempting to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe before it overturned near the port city of Zuwara, a notorious departure point for migrant journeys.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), local fishermen and coastguards rescued a handful of survivors who are currently receiving medical care. “Many of those missing are presumed drowned,” an IOM spokesperson said, describing the incident as another reminder of the deadly risks faced by migrants seeking safety and better opportunities.

Eyewitnesses said the ill-fated boat was overcrowded and poorly equipped to handle the turbulent sea conditions. Most of the victims were from Nigeria, Sudan, and Eritrea, with some believed to be teenagers.

Human rights advocates have renewed calls on African governments and the international community to address the root causes driving irregular migration, including poverty, conflict, and political instability, while also improving search and rescue operations across the Mediterranean.

Since the start of the year, more than 2,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean route, making it one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors.