Boat Carrying Egyptian Migrants to Europe Capsizes Off Libyan Coast, Leaving 12 Dead

A tragic incident occurred off the Libyan coast when a boat carrying 13 Egyptian migrants capsized, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals, Arab News reported yesterday.

The boat sank approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of Tobruk on the evening of October 28, 2024. One survivor was rescued, and local authorities, along with the humanitarian group Al-Abreen, confirmed the recovery of the bodies.

Libya has become a primary transit point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East. Last month, another boat carrying 32 migrants capsized, leading to one fatality and 22 missing. Human traffickers exploit the instability in Libya, using overcrowded and unsafe vessels for perilous sea crossings. The International Organization for Migration reported that in 2023, nearly 1,000 migrants died or went missing off Libya’s coast, highlighting the ongoing crisis faced by those seeking a better life in Europe.