Authorities in Libya say the country’s coastguard has intercepted an inflatable boat carrying 138 Europe-bound migrants off the country’s western coast on Wednesday.
Libya’s navy said more than half of the migrants were from Sudan, while the rest were from other African countries.
Nine women and three children were among the group, an AFP correspondent said. They were all taken to a naval base in the capital Tripoli.
The North African country is a major route for migrants trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean, and traffickers have thrived in the lawlessness that followed the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
International agencies frequently denounce the return to Libya of migrants intercepted at sea, due to the chaotic situation in the country and poor conditions in detention centres.
On Monday, the International Organization for Migration said Libya’s coastguard had intercepted almost 1,000 Europe-bound migrants off its western coast in two days.
Follow us on:
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…
Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…
Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…
A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…
A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…
NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…