The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that 568 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya between 2 and 8 November 2025, as part of ongoing maritime operations in the central Mediterranean.
In its weekly maritime update, the IOM said the latest figure brings the total number of migrants intercepted and returned to Libyan shores since the start of 2025 to 23,513 individuals, including 20,417 men, 2,037 women, and 851 children.
The organization reaffirmed that it does not participate in interception or rescue operations, stressing that Libya cannot be considered a safe port for disembarkation. The IOM and other humanitarian agencies have long raised concerns about the treatment of migrants in Libyan detention centers, citing reports of abuse and overcrowding.
Since early 2025, Libya has continued to serve as a major departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean toward Europe, often aboard overcrowded and unseaworthy boats. The IOM has repeatedly called for regional cooperation to ensure migrant safety, promote voluntary return programs, and establish legal migration pathways to prevent further loss of life at sea.
The organization also urged the international community to prioritize humanitarian protection and enhance efforts to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, instability, and human trafficking networks operating along North African routes.
