The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has confirmed that at least 61 migrants, including women and children, drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya on Tuesday. The boat, which was carrying about 86 people, had departed from the Libyan city of Zwara, east of Tripoli, and was heading to Europe.
According to the IOM, only five survivors were rescued by the Libyan coast guard and brought back to shore. The survivors include four men – three Pakistanis and one Egyptian – and a Syrian child. The IOM said that the boat capsized shortly after leaving Zwara, but the exact cause of the incident is still unclear.
The IOM’s chief of mission in Libya, Federico Soda, expressed his sorrow and frustration over the tragedy, which he said was “the latest in a long series of avoidable deaths”. He also urged the international community to “step up efforts to end the cycle of exploitation and abuse that drives these journeys and prevent further loss of life”.
The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, as thousands of people flee poverty, conflict, and persecution in Africa and the Middle East, hoping to reach safety and opportunity in Europe. According to the IOM, more than 1,200 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, while over 100,000 have been intercepted and returned to Libya, where they face dire humanitarian conditions and human rights violations.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has repeatedly called for an end to the practice of returning migrants to Libya, which it considers unsafe for refugees and asylum seekers. It has also urged European countries to increase their search and rescue operations, as well as their legal pathways for migration, such as resettlement and family reunification.
The latest shipwreck comes amid a surge in migrant arrivals in Europe, especially in Italy and Spain, which have received more than 80,000 and 40,000 migrants respectively this year. The influx has sparked political tensions and humanitarian challenges, as authorities struggle to cope with the demand for accommodation, health care, and integration services.
However, some European countries have also shown solidarity and compassion towards the migrants, offering them protection and assistance. For instance, in October, Germany agreed to take in more than 2,000 migrants from Italy and Greece, as part of a relocation scheme initiated by the European Commission. Moreover, several civil society organizations and volunteers have been providing aid and support to the migrants, both at sea and on land.
The IOM and the UNHCR have commended these efforts and appealed for more cooperation and coordination among all actors involved in the migration issue. They have also stressed the need to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses, in the countries of origin and transit.
The IOM and the UNHCR have also expressed their hope that the new year will bring more peace and stability to the region and more opportunities and dignity for the migrants. They have pledged to continue their work to save lives, protect rights, and promote solutions for the migration challenge.
Source: The New York Times
