Tragic Capsize Claims 53 Lives Off Libya's Coast

A rubber boat carrying 55 passengers, including two babies, has overturned off the coast of Libya, the UN migration agency says.

The only survivors, two Nigerian women, were rescued by the Libyan authorities on Friday, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) announced on Monday. The boat was carrying migrants and refugees from various African countries.

The boat sank after taking on water approximately six hours after departing from the coastal city of al-Zawiya in north-western Libya.

The IOM reports that almost 500 migrants have been reported dead or missing attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya so far in 2026.

Survivors indicated that the rubber dinghy had left al-Zawiya at around 23:00 local time, capsizing several hours later near Zuwara. The reasons for the delayed reporting of this incident remain unclear.

One survivor lamented the loss of her husband while the other shared the heartbreaking news of her two babies' deaths. IOM teams provided emergency medical care to both women.

In a tragic note, at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing in January alone due to dangerous conditions during extreme winter weather. The real death toll is feared to be much higher.

Despite the risks, the flow of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean persists.

The IOM has called for enhanced international cooperation to dismantle smuggling networks and to create safer and legal migration pathways to decrease fatalities at sea.

Many vessels sinking in these waters often go unreported, leaving families unaware of the fate of their loved ones.

Countries like the UK, Spain, Norway, and Sierra Leone urge Libya to close detention centers notorious for abuse and torture against migrants.