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Europe-Bound Migrants Killed When Boat Capsizes Off Libya Europe-Bound Migrants Killed When Boat Capsizes Off Libya
(4 months later)
TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan officials said Sunday that the bodies of at least 24 migrants trying to make it to Europe had been found after a boat carrying 130 people capsized over the weekend off the country’s shores. TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan officials said Sunday that the bodies of at least 24 migrants trying to make it to Europe had been found after a boat carrying 130 people capsized over the weekend off the country’s shores.
A Libyan Navy spokesman, Ayoub Bilqassem, said the bottom of the small boat collapsed, causing it to capsize. He said that 52 people, mostly Africans, were immediately rescued, and that 24 bodies had been found. At least 54 people remained missing, he said.A Libyan Navy spokesman, Ayoub Bilqassem, said the bottom of the small boat collapsed, causing it to capsize. He said that 52 people, mostly Africans, were immediately rescued, and that 24 bodies had been found. At least 54 people remained missing, he said.
The toll remained unclear, though, with an Interior Ministry spokesman, Rami Kaal, saying 40 other bodies had washed ashore since the capsizing, about 30 miles east of the capital, Tripoli. Reuters reported that at least 40 people had died.The toll remained unclear, though, with an Interior Ministry spokesman, Rami Kaal, saying 40 other bodies had washed ashore since the capsizing, about 30 miles east of the capital, Tripoli. Reuters reported that at least 40 people had died.
Libya has become a transit point for tens of thousands of people bound for Europe in rickety, crowded boats.Libya has become a transit point for tens of thousands of people bound for Europe in rickety, crowded boats.
Libya’s interior minister, Saleh Maziq, said Saturday that his country would start aiding the migrants in reaching their destination if the European Union did not do more to help his country address illegal migration from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. At a news conference late Saturday, the minister blamed the presence of the migrants for a rise in crime in Libya, as well as the spread of illegal drugs and diseases. He also appealed to Libya’s southern neighbors to help stop the flow of migrants.Libya’s interior minister, Saleh Maziq, said Saturday that his country would start aiding the migrants in reaching their destination if the European Union did not do more to help his country address illegal migration from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. At a news conference late Saturday, the minister blamed the presence of the migrants for a rise in crime in Libya, as well as the spread of illegal drugs and diseases. He also appealed to Libya’s southern neighbors to help stop the flow of migrants.
Chaos has prevailed in Libya since the 2011 overthrow of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. With the police and the military in disarray, human smuggling has become an organized industry in which Libya’s militias have gotten involved, activists and the police say.Chaos has prevailed in Libya since the 2011 overthrow of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. With the police and the military in disarray, human smuggling has become an organized industry in which Libya’s militias have gotten involved, activists and the police say.
Cities along Libya’s 1,000-mile-long, largely unpatrolled Mediterranean coastline have become collection points where Africans mass, scrounging up the cash for a boat to take them roughly 200 miles to Malta or Lampedusa, Italy.Cities along Libya’s 1,000-mile-long, largely unpatrolled Mediterranean coastline have become collection points where Africans mass, scrounging up the cash for a boat to take them roughly 200 miles to Malta or Lampedusa, Italy.
The world, Mr. Maziq said, “must actually take a serious stand with actions, and not just words.”The world, Mr. Maziq said, “must actually take a serious stand with actions, and not just words.”
In response, the Libyan government issued a statement on Sunday saying it would continue to combat illegal migration to Europe and cooperate with European countries, particularly Italy, in monitoring borders.In response, the Libyan government issued a statement on Sunday saying it would continue to combat illegal migration to Europe and cooperate with European countries, particularly Italy, in monitoring borders.