Libya: Refugee Boats Capsize Near Coast
Over 150 refugees and migrants are feared to have drowned off the coast of Libya after two boats capsized on Thursday, 25 July.
The two wooden vessels, carrying over 300 people – including children – are reported to have upended near Al-Khums, a town some 120 kilometres east of the capital, Tripoli.
The Libyan coastguard have currently rescued 145 people thus far; the survivors are largely from Ethiopia, Palestine and Sudan.
Ayoub Qasim, spokesperson for Libya’s coastguard, said: “We estimate that 150 migrants are potentially missing and died at sea. The dead include women and children.”
UN high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, commented: “The worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year has just occurred.”
Thousands use Libya has a departure point into Europe each year, escaping civil war, poverty and strife in their home countries.
A similar incident happened near the Tunisa coast in May when a boat inexplicably sank, leaving at least 65 dead.
