590 migrants rescued off Libyan coast in past week: IOM

TRIPOLI, June 21– The International Organization for Migration said on Monday that 590 migrants were returned to Libya after being rescued off the coast last week. So far in 2022, a total of 8,860 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, including 635 women and 334 minors, IOM said, adding 150 migrants died and 565 others went missing on the Central…

TRIPOLI, June 21 (Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that 590 migrants were returned to Libya after being rescued off the coast last week.

“In the period of 12-18 June 2022, 590 migrants have disembarked back on Libyan shores,” IOM said in a statement.

So far in 2022, a total of 8,860 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, including 635 women and 334 minors, IOM said, adding 150 migrants died and 565 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route in the year.

In 2021, a total of 32,425 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 662 died and 891 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, IOM revealed.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. Enditem