Libya’s Illegal Immigration Combat Agency announced the rescue of ten migrants, abandoned in the desert.
A patrol from the agency’s Tobruk branch found the Sudanese migrants near Wadi Ali, providing them with water, food, and first aid, according to a statement.
The statement highlighted that the patrol transported the migrants to the shelter and deportation center, affiliated with the Agency.
Earlier this week, the Tobruk branch of the Agency announced the deportation of 7,706 migrants from the city during the year 2023.
According to statistics released by the branch, the migrants include 5,292 Sudanese, 1,045 Egyptians, 510 Pakistanis, 481 Chadians, 193 Bangladeshis, 104 Syrians, and 70 Nigerians. As well as five Yemenis, four Ghanaians, three Indians, and individuals from Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
The branch highlighted that among the deported migrants, 491 individuals were found to be infected with hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and other contagious diseases.
Last week, Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi stated that cooperation with Libya and Tunisia has prevented the arrival of 121,000 migrants to Italy in 2023, including those whose bodies were recovered at sea.
During a hearing in the Schengen Agreement Implementation Committee, Piantedosi revealed that 550 smugglers were apprehended in 2022 and 2023, as reported by the Italian news agency “ANSA.”
The Italian minister pointed out that 157,000 migrants, including 17,000 unaccompanied minors, arrived in Italy last year, compared to 105,000 in 2022, with 14,000 of them being minors.
“There was a significant increase, but it was contained to less than 50% over the months. These figures do not align with the government’s objectives, but there could have been higher numbers if we had not implemented the measures we adopted in recent months,” Piantedosi.