Tragedy at Sea: 53 Migrants, Including Two Babies, Die After Boat Capsizes Off Libya
A devastating maritime disaster has unfolded off the coast of Libya, claiming the lives of 53 migrants, including two infants, after a rubber boat capsized on February 6.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that only two Nigerian women survived the ordeal, rescued by Libyan authorities.
The boat, carrying 55 migrants and refugees from various African countries, departed from Al-Zawiya, Libya, at around 11 p.m. on February 5 and sank approximately six hours later. The survivors are grappling with immense grief, having lost loved ones in the tragedy.
This incident brings the total number of migrant deaths on the Central Mediterranean route to at least 484 in 2026, with 375 fatalities reported in January alone.
The IOM emphasizes the need for stronger international cooperation to dismantle smuggling networks and provide safer migration pathways.