More than 11,800 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea have been interginning of 2026, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The IOM said 11,842 migrants had been intercepted at sea and brought back to Libya. The total included at least 944 women and 254 children, while most of those returned were men.
The figures were updated after 687 migrants were intercepted between 5 and 11 July while attempting to leave Libya’s eastern, western and central coasts for Europe.
Earlier IOM data recorded 6,811 migrants intercepted and returned to Libya by 16 May, indicating a continued rise in attempted crossings during the following weeks. st total remains below the 27,116 migrants intercepted during 2025 and the 21,762 recorded in 2024.
Human rights and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly criticised European support for Libya’s maritime interception system. They argue that people returned to Libya face a risk of arbitrary detention, torture, exploitation, extortion and trafficking.
A United Nations report published in February 2026 documented systemic abuses against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya, including killings, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, torture and forced labour. rganisations have also warned of growing anti-migrant rhetoric in Libya. Human Rights Watch reported in July that hostile online campaigns had contributed to abuses against migrants, particularly people from sub-Saharan Africa. migrants told humanitarian organisations that they feared arrest during raids on homes, workplaces and streets, as well as violence by armed groups and criminal networks.
Tensions have also increased between Libyan maritime patrols and civilian rescue organisations operating in the Mediterranean.
Sea-Watch filed criminal complaints in Germany and Italy in April 2026 over a September 2025 incident in which it said a Libyan patrol boat threatened and fired towards the Sea-Watch 5 after the vessel rescued 66 people. arate incident on 11 May 2026, armed vessels linked to the Libyan Coast Guard reportedly fired live ammunition near the Sea-Watch 5 after its crew rescued about 90 migrants. No injuries were reported, and the vessel continued towards Italy.
