On Saturday, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (Doctors Without Borders) successfully conducted a rescue mission for 68 migrants, found in precarious conditions off the Libyan coast. The group included vulnerable individuals, notably five children and a pregnant woman, who were adrift on three boats deemed unfit for the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.
In a statement, the organization noted with concern that five of the migrants opted to stay on the dilapidated fiberglass boats, underscoring the extreme desperation that drives individuals to risk their lives in such hazardous conditions.
MSF’s statement emphasized the dire absence of safe and legal migration options, which, coupled with the violence faced by many in Libya, compels migrants to undertake dangerous sea crossings, often resulting in tragic outcomes.
MSF drew attention to the significant challenges encountered by migrants during their treacherous sea voyages. The organization urgently calls for the establishment of secure and lawful pathways for migration, to prevent further loss of life and to ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals in transit.
From January 2021 to September 2023, the project attended to 194 individuals, with 57 accepted in the first nine months of 2023 alone. Of these, 61% reported experiencing torture in Libya, 37% in their home countries, and the remaining 2% during their transit in other countries. Furthermore, 58% of the violence occurred in detention facilities, with 20% of the patients reporting sexual torture.
A total of 964 migrants were deported, including 664 Egyptians and 300 Nigerians, as reported by Bredi’a.
Hundreds of migrants, including women and children, dressed in distinctive black and white uniforms, lined up before being transported to large halls where they were provided with water and basic personal supplies in small bags. Subsequently, they were transported by buses to Mitiga International Airport and the Amssad land crossing.
Libya, divided between competing authorities in the east and west, has become a focal point for tens of thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe via the perilous sea route.
Many migrants attempt the journey to Europe through Libyan territory, risking their lives. However, thousands have been living in Libya irregularly for years, working in agriculture, construction, and trade, especially around the capital.