This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-48849595
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Libya attack: 'Dozens killed in air strike' on migrant centre | Libya attack: 'Dozens killed in air strike' on migrant centre |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| At least 40 people have been killed by an air strike that hit a migrant detention centre in Libya, officials say. | At least 40 people have been killed by an air strike that hit a migrant detention centre in Libya, officials say. |
| Another 80 are reported to have been wounded in the explosion, which happened at a facility in an eastern suburb of the capital, Tripoli. | |
| The majority of those killed are reported to be African migrants. | The majority of those killed are reported to be African migrants. |
| In recent years, Libya has been a key springboard for migrants seeking to travel to Europe. | In recent years, Libya has been a key springboard for migrants seeking to travel to Europe. |
| The country has been torn by violence and division since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. | The country has been torn by violence and division since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. |
| Osama Ali, a spokesman for the emergency services, told AFP that 120 migrants had been in a hangar which was directly hit by the strike in Tajoura. | |
| He added that more people may have been killed because the death toll so far was "a preliminary assessment". | He added that more people may have been killed because the death toll so far was "a preliminary assessment". |
| The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serra, has blamed the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) for Wednesday's strike. | The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serra, has blamed the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) for Wednesday's strike. |
| The LNA - led by strongman Khalifa Haftar - has been fighting forces loyal to the country's internationally recognised government in the area where the strike happened. | The LNA - led by strongman Khalifa Haftar - has been fighting forces loyal to the country's internationally recognised government in the area where the strike happened. |
| It had announced on Monday that it would start heavy air strikes on targets in Tripoli after "traditional means" of war had been exhausted. | It had announced on Monday that it would start heavy air strikes on targets in Tripoli after "traditional means" of war had been exhausted. |
| But a spokesperson for the LNA denied that its forces had hit the detention centre. | But a spokesperson for the LNA denied that its forces had hit the detention centre. |
| Thousands of migrants attempting to travel to Europe are held in government-run detention centres - such as this one - which are often located close to the frontlines of the country's conflict. | Thousands of migrants attempting to travel to Europe are held in government-run detention centres - such as this one - which are often located close to the frontlines of the country's conflict. |
| The poor conditions of these centres have been criticised by human rights groups. | The poor conditions of these centres have been criticised by human rights groups. |
| The European Union has stepped up co-operation with the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrant boats. | The European Union has stepped up co-operation with the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrant boats. |
| But people-smuggling gangs have flourished in the country's political chaos, charging desperate migrants thousands of dollars per head. | But people-smuggling gangs have flourished in the country's political chaos, charging desperate migrants thousands of dollars per head. |