The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) announced that the Libyan Coast Guard has intercepted and returned more than 370 migrants to Libya.
The IOM said staff was onsite to provide needed emergency assistance. “We maintain that Libya is not a safe port,” it tweeted.
Earlier, the Organisation reported that 9,448 illegal migrants, including women and children, had been rescued in 2020. This is compared to 9,225 in 2019. The IOM added that 196 migrants died, and 275 others went missing on the central Mediterranean route this year.
Libya has emerged as a major transit point for migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and attempting to reach Europe.