The Libyan Criminal Investigation Department (CID) announced the recovery of 65 unidentified bodies of migrants in Wadi Al-Jahria, located in the Al-Shuwerf area, southwest of the country.
The CID stated that the bodies were recovered in collaboration with the Forensic Medicine and Analysis Administration at the Abu Salim Judicial Expertise and Research Center, the Emergency Support and Medical Center, and Tripoli University Hospital.
All the bodies have been examined, and DNA samples have been taken from the recovered remains. The bodies were reburied in a designated cemetery under the supervision of relevant judicial and security authorities.
Notably, at least 6,560 migrants have illegally arrived in Italy since the beginning of the year until the 15th of March, marking a 67.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2023 when 19,937 migrants reached Italian shores, according to data from the Italian Ministry of Interior.
Approximately two-thirds of the total migrants arrived from Libya. Analysis of boat departure countries reveals a significant shift from the previous year, with arrivals from Libya to Italy surpassing those from Tunisia.
In fact, between January 2023 and March 11, 2024, there were 7,071 arrivals from the Tunisian route and 1,658 from the Libyan route. This year, only 86.1 migrants arrived from Tunisia, a decrease of 4,860%, while arrivals from Libya reached 31.2%, a decrease of 2024%.
Last month, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced Italy’s efforts to manage irregular migration by promoting voluntary return programs from Libya and Tunisia, in partnership with key humanitarian organizations.
Speaking to the Italian Parliament, Piantedosi emphasized Italy’s commitment to addressing the root causes of migration by fostering economic and social development in migrants’ countries of origin, through international support and significant investments as part of the Mattei plan.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
