Deadly Shipwreck Off Libya Leaves Dozens Missing
Members of the Libyan Red Crescent carry the body of an illegal migrant in a bag after it was found on the beach. A migrant boat attempting the dangerous central Mediterranean crossing has capsized off the coast of Libya, leaving 53 people dead or missing. The vessel, which departed from the coastal city of Al‑Zawiya, overturned only hours into its journey. Authorities reported that 55 people were on board. Only two survivors—both women from Nigeria—were rescued and brought back to shore. They described losing close family members in the chaos, underscoring the human toll behind the statistics. The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers faced by migrants fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability in hopes of reaching Europe. Despite repeated warnings from humanitarian groups, the central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, with overcrowded boats and ruthless smuggling networks contributing to frequent disasters at sea.
