Libya: 74 Europe-bound migrants drown 

At least 74 migrants drowned last week when a boat heading to Europe capsized off the coast of Libya. This tragedy was the eighth migrant shipwreck on this route since the beginning of October, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Only 47 survivors were found by the Libyan coast guard and local fishermen. Thirty-one bodies were recovered from the sea, and the search continues for the rest of the missing passengers. 

“The mounting loss of life in the Mediterranean is a manifestation of the inability of States to take decisive action to redeploy much needed, dedicated Search and Rescue capacity in the deadliest sea-crossing in the world,” said Federico Soda, IOM Libya Chief of Mission.

At least 20,000 people have died in the Central Mediterranean since 2014.

TMP_ 13/11/2020

Photo credit: Shutterstock/Max Lindenthaler

Photo caption: Floating life jacket. An overboard lifejacket drifting on the water