Libyan authorities have retrieved 11 bodies from a mass grave recently discovered in Kufra, southern Libya, according to the country’s Ambulance and Emergency Services.
The operation was conducted under the directive of the Kufra Primary Prosecution, with the participation of a forensic team appointed by the Attorney General. Officials reported that the total number of bodies found so far has reached 55, with expectations that the final count could rise to 74 victims.
Authorities believe the site is linked to human trafficking networks operating in the region. The discovery underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing migrants attempting to cross Libya in search of better opportunities in Europe. Many fall victim to exploitation, trafficking, and deadly journeys through the desert and Mediterranean Sea.
The Illegal Migration Control Agency also conducted a raid in the area, rescuing a significant number of stranded migrants suffering under harsh conditions. Survivors are receiving humanitarian aid while investigators work to identify the victims and determine the circumstances behind their deaths.
The discovery has sparked renewed calls for stronger international efforts to combat human trafficking in Libya, a country that has long served as a transit hub for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. The ongoing instability in Libya has made it a hotspot for smuggling operations, leaving thousands vulnerable to kidnapping, forced labour, and violence.
Authorities have pledged to continue investigations and hold those responsible accountable, as the country struggles to address its migration crisis and security challenges.
