Over 900 Migrants Rescued off Libyan Coast

Libyan authorities have rescued more than 900 migrants off the coast of Sabratha in the west of Libya, over the weekend.

The migrants, who were reported to be mostly African and Asian, were trying to make their way to Europe when they were rescued by the Libyan coast guard.

A spokesperson for the Libyan Navy, Ayoub Qassem, said that they found the migrants drifting on damaged boats approximately 11 kilometres from the coast.

According to Qassem, the migrants were traveling on five rubber boats and one wooden boat. The rubber boats had holes and were partially submerged in the water, while the motorless wooden boat was drifting aimlessly.

The rescue operation which lasted over seven hours, resulted in the rescue of 906 people, including 98 women – seven of whom were pregnant – and 25 children.

The political instability in Libya has affected millions of people, leaving thousands of people displaced. Because of this, many risk their lives attempting the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean in hopes of a better life.

Over time, Libya has become one of the main departure points for illegal migrants.

According to the International Organization of Migration, approximately 9111 migrants have been rescued off the coast of Libya this year alone.