A migrant boat has capsized off eastern Libya, prompting emergency recovery operations between the coastal areas of Al-Tamimi and Umm Al-Razm, according to the Libyan Red Crescent.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation confirmed that emergency teams from its Umm Al-Razm division, supported by responders from the Derna branch, are conducting recovery efforts at the scene. The bodies retrieved are being transferred to the relevant authorities to complete legal procedures and identification processes.
The incident underscores the continuing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya’s shores. Eastern coastal routes have increasingly witnessed departures amid ongoing instability and the presence of smuggling networks.
Last Monday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that 53 migrants, including two infants, were confirmed dead or missing after a separate boat capsized off the Libyan coast. According to the agency, that vessel had departed from the western city of Zawiya on 5 February and overturned roughly six hours later due to water leaking into the hull.
Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned of the severe risks associated with irregular sea crossings, particularly in overcrowded or poorly maintained boats operated by traffickers. Survivors of similar incidents often report a lack of life-saving equipment and limited access to emergency assistance.
Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe. Political fragmentation, economic hardship and security challenges have contributed to the persistence of smuggling activities along both western and eastern coastlines.
Authorities and aid agencies continue to call for coordinated efforts to address human trafficking networks and improve search-and-rescue capacity. Meanwhile, emergency teams remain at the site of the latest incident, working to recover victims and provide support in the aftermath of the tragedy.