Libya’s security authorities have rescued more than 200 migrants from a hidden prison in Kufra.
The underground facility, nearly three meters deep, was reportedly operated by a Libyan human trafficker, sources said on Sunday.
Some migrants had been imprisoned for up to two years in inhumane conditions, enduring severe abuse and neglect, one source added.
Security officials described the discovery as “one of the most serious crimes against humanity” ever uncovered in the region.
The raid revealed several underground detention cells, where women, children, and men from Somalia and Eritrea were being held.
Kufra, located roughly 1,700 kilometres east of Tripoli, has long been a hub for migrants traversing dangerous desert routes.
Since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has become a perilous transit point for Africans seeking passage to Europe.
The country’s oil-driven economy draws migrants despite weak security, leaving them vulnerable to kidnapping, exploitation, and trafficking networks.
Authorities last week discovered at least 21 bodies in a mass grave, with survivors showing signs of severe torture.
The eastern Libyan attorney general referred a suspect to court, charging them with “serious violations against migrants,” the statement said.
In February last year, 39 bodies were recovered from roughly 55 mass graves in Kufra, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees, fleeing the 2023 conflict, are also housed in Kufra, compounding local pressures on authorities.
The latest rescue operation signals Libya’s security forces’ determination to confront human trafficking despite widespread instability across the country.
Officials have yet to confirm whether the trafficker operating the secret prison has been apprehended, leaving questions over accountability.
For the freed migrants, the raid offers a glimpse of hope after enduring years of imprisonment, violence, and despair.
Libya’s role as both a gateway and a danger for migrants underscores the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges in the region.
The authorities continue investigations to dismantle trafficking networks, aiming to prevent future atrocities and provide protection for vulnerable populations.
