Libya Mass Grave Discovery: 21 Migrants Found Dead, Suspect Arrested

Libyan authorities have discovered a mass grave containing the bodies of 21 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, officials and local media reported Thursday. The victims were found on a farm in Ajdabiya, in northeastern Libya, where a Libyan national was arrested on suspicion of murder and of holding other migrants captive.

The Internal Security Agency in eastern Libya said the victims were of various African nationalities. Some migrants were rescued from the farm and received medical treatment after the raid, according to independent local outlets. Photos and videos circulated by media showed bodies piled together and numerous body bags laid out at the site.

Libya has long been a key transit point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, with deaths along these routes frequently reported. The country remains politically divided, with an eastern administration backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar and a UN-recognized government in the west, complicating law enforcement and humanitarian efforts.

Since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Qaddafi, Libya has struggled with instability, allowing smugglers and human traffickers to exploit migrants. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned abuses, including extortion, slavery, and poor conditions for those attempting to migrate through the country.