Migrant Boat Sinks Off Libya, 19 Dead And 42 Still Missing
IOM reports tragedy as Sudanese migrants’ vessel sinks near Kambout; survivors are rescued later.
A rubber boat carrying over 70 Sudanese and South Sudanese migrants sank off Libya's eastern coast on September 9, resulting in at least 19 deaths and 42 people still missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessel departed from a beach near the town of Kambout and capsized the same day. IOM spokesperson Safa Msehli told The Associated Press that 14 survivors were rescued five days later, though details on their survival at sea remain unclear. Libya continues to serve as a primary transit hub for migrants escaping conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe.
The Libya Red Crescent reported recovering several bodies on Kambout beach following an emergency call from Tobruk authorities, approximately 60 km west of the departure point. While the organization did not confirm if these were the IOM-reported fatalities, such collaborative efforts between local rescuers and international groups are routine in the region. The incident underscores the dangers of unregulated departures, often facilitated by smugglers amid Libya's ongoing instability since the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, which has fragmented governance and exacerbated human trafficking networks.
In a related event, authorities in Zuwara, western Libya, rescued 35 migrants—including five women and a child—from a boat off the Abu Kammash coast on Tuesday. The operation was conducted by the Zuwara Naval Operations Force, affiliated with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli. This rescue highlights sporadic successes in maritime patrols, though challenges persist due to divided control between rival factions in eastern and western Libya.
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Earlier this month, another boat capsized off Libya's coast, claiming one life and leaving 22 missing from a group of 32, with nine rescued by Tobruk's coast guard. The IOM estimates thousands of migrant deaths annually in the central Mediterranean route, the deadliest globally. Advocacy groups urge enhanced international cooperation, including safer pathways and anti-smuggling measures, to curb these tragedies amid Libya's protracted civil unrest.
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