Coastguard Rescues 108 Migrants Off Libya

Arab World

April 29th, 7:38am

Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat

108 migrants arrive at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastal guards in Tripoli. (Libyan Coastguard)

Libya’s Coast Guard and the Port Security Agency rescued on Wednesday 108 illegal African migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores. Coast guard spokesman Masoud Ibrahimsaid they received a distress call and headed directly to the migrants' location. They were later sent to a naval base in Tripoli before the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency received them, Ibrahim added. The rescue operation comes only a few days after 130 Europe-bound migrants drowned following a boat wreck in the Mediterranean. SOS Mediterranee, which operates the rescue vessel Ocean Viking, announced earlier this week rescuing 236 migrants in international waters off Libya’s coast, 32 nautical miles from Zawiya city. The Marseille-based group reported that the migrants were taken onboard from two overcrowded dinghies. “Several survivors were weak, dehydrated and are now recovering. Some women suffered mild fuel burns and inhaled fumes,” it stated.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2945641/coastguard-rescues-108-migrants-libya