At least twelve Egyptian migrants are feared dead after their boat capsized off the coast of Tobruk, an eastern town in Libya, on Monday. According to two Egyptian security sources, only one of the 13 men on board survived the shipwreck, and was rescued by Libyan authorities.
The migrants, originating from Egypt’s al-Sharkia and al-Gharbia provinces, had embarked on the perilous journey to Italy on Sunday night via a people smugglers’ boat. Reports from the surviving man indicate that the group aimed to reach Europe amid Egypt’s severe economic challenges, including rising inflation and high unemployment rates.
Libya, which has seen ongoing instability since the NATO-backed overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, has become a central transit point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in search of a better life in Europe. According to U.N. data collected in mid-2024, Libya is now home to over 761,000 migrants from 44 different nationalities, many of whom hope to cross the Mediterranean for a safer and more prosperous future.
The incident highlights the risks many migrants face as they undertake dangerous sea voyages to escape difficult conditions at home.
Melissa Enoch
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