The bodies of at least 15 migrants, including a young girl, have been recovered along Libya’s eastern Mediterranean coastline after a vessel believed to be carrying dozens of people capsized at sea.
According to security, naval and medical sources, the bodies were discovered over the past week at several locations near the coastal city of Tobruk, close to Libya’s border with Egypt.
Authorities believe the boat was carrying approximately 61 migrants when the tragedy occurred. A navy source said the estimate was based on information provided by 10 survivors who were rescued following the incident.
Officials warned that the death toll could rise further as search and recovery operations continue along the coastline.
Two security sources said many of the bodies recovered were in an advanced state of decomposition, raising concerns that additional victims may still be washed ashore in the coming days.
Photographs shared by the Tobruk Red Crescent showed volunteers dressed in protective white suits retrieving bodies from rocky coastal areas before placing them into body bags.
Libya remains one of the main transit points for migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe through dangerous Mediterranean sea routes.
Since the overthrow of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has become a major departure point for people fleeing conflict, poverty and economic hardship in Africa and the Middle East.
At the same time, Libya’s oil-based economy continues to attract migrants seeking employment opportunities despite ongoing political instability and security challenges.
In a separate incident, the Emergency Medicine and Support Centre in the city of Khums said its medical teams treated 13 migrants after another boat capsized off the Libyan coast.
The latest tragedies highlight the ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting perilous sea crossings in search of safety and better opportunities abroad.
