Libyan authorities rescued 35 Sudanese migrants after their boat was intercepted off the coast of Tobruk in eastern Libya, according to the humanitarian group Al-Abreen Organization for Migrant Assistance and Humanitarian Services.
The organization said the rescue operation took place on Thursday when a migrant vessel carrying the group was located in waters near the city of Tobruk. The operation was carried out by the Azriq patrol boat belonging to the Libyan Coast Guard and Port Security, which responded after detecting the boat at sea.
According to officials, all 35 migrants on board were safely rescued during the operation. The group consisted entirely of Sudanese nationals who were attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, a route frequently used by migrants hoping to reach Europe in search of safety and better living conditions.
During the journey, one of the migrants suffered severe burns after coming into contact with gasoline inside the overcrowded boat. Fuel containers are often stored on migrant vessels during smuggling operations, creating dangerous conditions that can easily lead to fires, chemical burns, or explosions during the voyage.
After the rescue, the migrants were transported toward the naval base in Tobruk, which serves as the designated disembarkation point for maritime rescue operations in the area. Upon arrival, the migrants are expected to receive urgent medical treatment, food, and humanitarian assistance before authorities proceed with the necessary administrative procedures.
Eastern Libya’s coastline has increasingly become a departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean. Sudanese nationals have been among the most prominent groups using this route in recent months, largely driven by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Humanitarian organizations continue to warn that the Mediterranean crossing remains one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. Migrants frequently travel in overcrowded and poorly equipped boats operated by smuggling networks, exposing them to serious risks including drowning, dehydration, and fuel-related injuries.
Libyan authorities say maritime patrols will continue along the country’s coastline to intercept migrant vessels and conduct rescue operations aimed at preventing further tragedies at sea.
