The Libyan Red Crescent branch in Tobruk has carried out a difficult humanitarian mission deep in the Great Sand Sea, recovering the decomposed bodies of migrants who perished in the desert.
According to reports received by the authorities, bodies were located around 550 kilometres south of Tobruk, in a remote area approximately 250 kilometres from the town of Jaghboub. Red Crescent volunteers, working in coordination with local security forces and the Illegal Migration Control Agency in Tobruk, travelled across harsh desert terrain to reach the site.
Over two days, the teams managed to recover five decomposed bodies believed to be of Sudanese nationality. The remains were transported to the mortuary of Al-Butnan Medical Centre in Tobruk, where legal and medical procedures will follow before the victims are laid to rest with dignity.
The Libyan Red Crescent emphasised that such tragedies reflect the extreme dangers faced by migrants crossing desert routes in what are often referred to as “death journeys”. Volunteers in Tobruk continue to play a vital role in retrieving the dead from Libya’s vast desert regions, ensuring they are treated with humanity and respect despite the harsh conditions.
The mission was carried out in cooperation with the 519th Battalion of the Libyan National Army, highlighting the combined efforts of humanitarian groups, security units and medical institutions in addressing the consequences of irregular migration.
Libya’s desert routes have long been a deadly path for migrants seeking to cross towards North Africa’s coastal cities and, eventually, Europe. The incident once again underlines the need for coordinated humanitarian and international efforts to address the crisis and prevent further loss of life.
