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FILE PHOTO: The International Organization of Migration and the UN refugee agency called for "urgent action" after a boat carrying more than 100 people capsized in the central Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya earlier this week. /Getty Images
The International Organization of Migration and the UN refugee agency called for "urgent action” after a boat carrying more than 100 people capsized in the central Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya earlier this week.
"UNHCR and IOM reiterate their call on the international community to take urgent steps to end avoidable loss of lives at sea," both agencies said in a statement.
"This includes the reactivation of search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, enhanced coordination with all rescue actors, ending returns to unsafe ports, and establishing a safe and predictable disembarkation mechanism."
Around 130 migrants were feared dead after a maritime and humanitarian organization discovered several bodies floating around the deflated rubber dinghy but no survivors.
The rubber boat, which is believed to have left the Al Khoms area east of Libya's capital Tripoli, reportedly capsized due to bad weather and stormy seas.
If confirmed, Thursday's incident would be the largest loss of life recorded in the Central Mediterranean since the beginning of the year, the IOM said.
The incident came a day after a child and one woman died off the Libyan coast and more than 100 people were intercepted by the Libyan coast guard and taken into detention.
More than 350 people have died in that stretch of sea in 2021 so far, according to the IOM, an increase from a similar period in 2020 when 150 people either died or went missing along the same route.
The IOM and UNHCR warned that more migrants and refugees may attempt the dangerous crossing as weather and sea conditions improve and living conditions in Libya worsen.
Thousands of refugees and would-be migrants from Africa brave harsh conditions and dangers in an attempt to get to the Mediterranean Sea and cross over into Europe.
Several of them have died while trying to cross the sea itself and even the Sahara Desert in order to get to Libya, particularly, from where they try to then get to Europe.
(With input from agencies)
