Libya’s migrant crisis has taken a disturbing turn following the discovery of a mass grave containing the bodies of 21 migrants who were brutally killed and buried at a private farm near the city of Ajdabiya, according to local security sources.
Local media, citing the Ajdabiya branch of the Internal Security Agency, reported that security forces carried out a targeted raid on the farm after gathering intelligence indicating serious criminal activity at the site. The operation led to the discovery of several burial pits holding the remains of 21 victims of different nationalities, in what authorities described as an exceptionally brutal crime.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims were killed by a suspect with a criminal record, who has since been arrested. Security officials said the suspect was taken into custody during the raid, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether others were involved in the killings or in related human trafficking activities.
During the same operation, security forces discovered several migrants being held in an improvised detention facility on the farm. The detainees were found in poor health after reportedly being shot. They were immediately transferred to Martyr Mohammed Al-Maqrif Central Teaching Hospital in Ajdabiya to receive urgent medical treatment.
Officials said the raid followed a period of surveillance and intelligence collection, which allowed security units to act swiftly and secure the site. Forensic teams have since been deployed to exhume the bodies, identify the victims, and document evidence as part of a broader criminal investigation.
Libya remains a major transit route for migrants seeking to reach Europe, a reality that continues to expose vulnerable individuals to severe human rights abuses. The Ajdabiya mass grave discovery underscores the urgent need for stronger security measures, accountability for perpetrators, and coordinated efforts to combat human trafficking.