The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has expressed deep sorrow following reports of ten migrant bodies found washed up near Marsa Matrouh on Egypt’s northern coast. The migrants, from various nationalities, are believed to have departed from Libya.
In an official statement, the IOM described the tragedy as yet another painful reminder of the high human cost of irregular migration. The agency stressed the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to establish safe, inclusive, and regular migration pathways for all.
The IOM also praised the Egyptian government for its humane and dignified response to the incident, commending its adherence to the highest standards of international humanitarian law.
According to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, more than 32,000 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean since 2014. Many more remain unaccounted for.
“Behind every lost life is a story: shattered dreams, grieving families, and futures that will never be realised,” the statement read. The organisation offered its condolences to the victims’ loved ones.
The IOM renewed its call for collective action to address the root causes of irregular migration and to protect the lives of those on the move. Libya continues to serve as a major departure point for migrants attempting the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean towards Europe.
The tragedy highlights the growing urgency to manage migration through legal and protected channels, particularly as conflict, poverty, and instability drive people to risk their lives in search of safety and opportunity.
