995 migrants intercepted off Libyan coast in past week: IOM
Baku, June 4, AZERTAC
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday said that 995 migrants were intercepted and returned off the coast of Libya in the past week, according to Xinhua.
"From 26 May to 1 June 2024, 995 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya," IOM said in a statement, adding that these migrants include 38 women and 17 children.
So far this year, a total of 7,059 migrants have been intercepted, while 282 died and 449 others went missing off the Libyan coast, IOM said.
In 2023, the total number of migrants being intercepted and returned stood at 17,190.
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the ensuing insecurity and chaos in Libya have prompted many migrants, primarily from Africa, to attempt crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores.
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