On Monday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed shock and deep concern after the discovery of two mass graves in Libya, containing the bodies of dozens of migrants, many of whom had been shot.
The grim discovery highlights the extreme dangers faced by migrants who attempt to cross the country, often falling victim to human traffickers and armed groups.
Libyan authorities uncovered the graves during a police operation that led to the rescue of hundreds of migrants from smugglers. One mass grave was found in Ajkharah, about 400 kilometers south of Benghazi, where 19 bodies were recovered.
A second, larger grave in the Kufra desert in southeastern Libya contained at least 30 bodies, with estimates suggesting the number could be as high as 70. The nationalities of the victims remain unknown, and investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible.
Nicoletta Giordano, Chief of IOM’s Libya Mission, condemned the continued violence against migrants, stating that far too many endure severe exploitation, torture, and death on these dangerous routes. She called urgent action to prioritize human rights and strengthen migrant protection efforts.
Libya remains one of the most dangerous transit points for migrants attempting to reach Europe. While much attention is given to maritime tragedies in the Mediterranean, land routes through the Sahara are just as deadly.
Smugglers and armed groups often subject migrants to forced labor, physical abuse, and killings, while desert conditions claim the lives of many through dehydration and exhaustion.
According to IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, 965 migrants have died or disappeared in Libya in 2024 alone, with more than 22% of these deaths occurring on land routes. Many of these cases go unreported, making the real toll even higher. The discovery of mass graves in the Libyan desert is a grim reminder of the suffering migrants endure in search of safety and a better future.
IOM has urged Libyan authorities to ensure that the bodies are recovered, identified, and treated with dignity. The organization also called for greater cooperation between governments to combat human trafficking and enhance security along migration routes.
