Over 1,000 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast in past week: IOM

FILE PHOTO: Migrants are seen on a boat as rescue operation is conducted within the scope of the Turkish Naval Task Group, in the Mediterranean TCG Gediz Frigate, which was performing a reconnaissance and surveillance mission off the coast of Libya on July 18, 2021. (Photo by Turkish National Defense Ministry / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

More than 1,000 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast over the past week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Monday.

"In the period of August 22-28, 1,131 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya," IOM said.

The organization said that a total of 23,550 illegal migrants, including women and children, were rescued and returned to Libya, adding that 446 illegal migrants have died and 648 others gone missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route so far this year.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African nation a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal migrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores.

Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency