Eight Bodies Recovered in Separate Mediterranean Migrant Incidents Off Libya and Greece

Tripoli. Eight bodies have been recovered in the latest accidents during attempts to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, officials confirmed Saturday that the deaths occurred in separate incidents near the Libyan capital of Tripoli and around the Greek island of Crete.

Local residents found the bodies of five migrants washed ashore near the coastal city of Qasr Al-Akhyar in Libya, according to Hassan Al-Ghawil, head of the local police investigation. Al-Ghawil stated that all the deceased were dark-skinned, including two women. Locals reported that the body of a child was also seen on the shore but was swept back into the sea by the waves. The bodies were collected with the assistance of the Red Crescent, and there is a suspicion that more bodies may wash ashore.

This incident follows a warning from the International Organization for Migration about a capsized rubber dinghy carrying 55 people near the coast of Zawiya a few weeks ago, which resulted in at least 53 migrants (including two infants) being dead or missing. Meanwhile, the Athens News Agency reported that three bodies were recovered after a wooden boat capsized near the Greek island of Crete, and at least 20 people were rescued. It is reported that most of those rescued are citizens of Egypt and Sudan, including four minors.

According to the Greek public broadcaster ERT, the boat overturned when passengers attempted to climb a ladder, causing it to become unbalanced. Four patrol boats, one aircraft, and two vessels from the European Border Agency Frontex are continuing the search for survivors. Every year, thousands of people undertake the perilous journey across the Mediterranean from Libya to reach Europe, fleeing war and poverty. Libya has become a major transit route for such journeys since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.