(TheRedAlertNews.com) – In a tragic incident involving a massive illegal immigrant invasion – this time not to the US but from the Third World to Europe – dozens of migrants have perished in the Mediterranean after the vessels smuggling them shipwrecked near the coast of Northern Africa.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 60 migrants are feared to have died in a maritime tragedy near the coast of Libya.
Drawing on accounts from survivors, the United Nations agency disclosed on Saturday that the ship embarked from the Libyan city of Zuwara with approximately 86 individuals on board.
The agency detailed that substantial wave activity overwhelmed the vessel, leading to the disappearance and presumed demise of 61 migrants, children included.
Libya stands as a primary origin point for migrants endeavoring to traverse the Mediterranean Sea to enter Europe.
The IOM’s data indicates that this year alone, over 2,200 individuals have lost their lives attempting this perilous journey, rendering it one of the world’s most treacherous migration paths.
Most of the victims in the most recent incident are identified as nationals of Nigeria, Gambia, and other African countries, as reported by the AFP news agency.
The IOM also mentioned that 25 survivors have been relocated to a Libyan detention center, where they are receiving medical assistance.
An IOM spokesperson, through a post on X, described this year’s mortality figure as a “dramatic number which unfortunately demonstrates that not enough is being done to save lives at sea.”
In a similar incident in June, at least 78 individuals perished, with an additional 100 rescued, following the sinking of a fishing boat off the southern coast of Greece.
The Mediterranean Sea is often the scene of overcrowded migrant vessels, insufficient in size for safe passage.
The migrants, many fleeing conflict or seeking employment opportunities, generally aim to reach Italy before proceeding to other European destinations.
According to the United Nations refugee agency, over 153,000 migrants have arrived in Italy this year, predominantly from Tunisia and Libya.
On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak engaged in discussions in Rome with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, focusing on strategies to curtail illegal migration to Europe.
Earlier this year, Sunak declared the cessation of small boat crossings in the English Channel as a foremost objective of his administration.
