Sudanese nationals fleeing war and humanitarian hardship were among dozens of migrants who perished when two boats capsized off Libya’s Al-Khums coast.
The Libyan Red Crescent reported that the first boat, carrying 26 Bangladeshi migrants, claimed four lives, while the rest were rescued by authorities.
The second boat, transporting 69 migrants including Sudanese families and two Egyptians, capsized, leaving children and adults missing or dead in turbulent waters.
Al-Khums emergency teams, in coordination with the Coast Guard and Port Security, rushed to the scene for rescue and recovery operations.
Bodies recovered were handed over to local authorities under Public Prosecutor directives, with proper legal procedures following for identification and documentation.
UNHCR Libya expressed deep sorrow, noting many passengers had fled Sudan after witnessing atrocities and enduring extreme humanitarian conditions with no safe alternatives.
“These recurring tragedies underscore the desperation driving countless migrants to risk treacherous Mediterranean crossings in search of safety and survival,” the UN agency said.
The UN called for urgent conflict resolution in Sudan and the expansion of safe, legal pathways, including evacuations from Libya.
Earlier this month, another boat disaster claimed 42 lives, mostly Sudanese refugees, while only seven passengers survived the perilous journey toward Europe.
Libya’s Mediterranean crossings have repeatedly turned deadly, with past incidents in December and October resulting in dozens of fatalities and missing migrants.
The International Organization for Migration reported that the Libyan coast guard intercepted 568 migrants at sea between November 2 and 8, returning them to Libya.
From January to November 2025, roughly 23,513 migrants were intercepted and returned, reflecting a rising trend compared with previous years’ totals.
UNHCR statistics indicate Libya hosts approximately 357,000 Sudanese refugees, concentrated in Al-Kufra, Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Zawiya, Jafara, Derna, Tobruk, and the Green Mountain region.
The Mediterranean remains a deadly corridor, exposing the vulnerability of refugees and the urgent need for international action to provide safe alternatives.
