New migrants deaths in Libya as Italy and EU push border deals

The ongoing migration crisis in the Central Mediterranean has claimed more lives.

As reported by Libya Observer on 19 April, the Libyan Red Crescent recovered two bodies found near Janzour beach, west of Tripoli. This grim discovery follows a larger tragedy near Zuwara, where 17 bodies were recovered, signaling what the International Organization for Migration (IOM) describes as the deadliest start to a year for Mediterranean crossings since 2014.

These deaths underscore a worsening pattern along the Libyan coastline, which remains a primary departure point for thousands fleeing war and poverty. According to recent reports, at least 990 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean so far in 2026, with 765 occurring on the central route alone—a 150% increase compared to the same period last year.

 Italy, first country of arrivals, has intensified its diplomatic engagement with Libya’s divided leadership. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi between 9th and 11th February,  conducted high-profile visits to both Tripoli and Benghazi. Piantedosi met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east to discuss internal security and the role of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in securing southern land borders.

This visit, which included top intelligence and diplomatic officials, followed meetings in Tripoli with the Government of National Unity (GNU). Italy’s strategy focuses on managing “demographic pressures” and controlling migration flows as a prerequisite for bilateral cooperation. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on 18 January met with the Libyan Prime Minister

 Abdulhameed Mohamed Dbeibah. The italian Minister noted that departures from Libya have increased, further pressure-testing the existing memorandums of understanding as reported by InfoMigrants.

The European Union continues to view cooperation with Libya as “vital” to controlling irregular migration . The EU’s revised asylum framework emphasizes returning migrants to “safe third countries,” a category that could potentially include Libya despite ongoing concerns about human rights.

However, critics point out that while Libya “anchors” Europe’s migration policy, the human toll remains staggering. Migrant deaths persist as the Mediterranean remains one of the world’s most dangerous borders, and the reliance on Libyan authorities to monitor coastlines has not halted the accumulation of shipwrecks and disappearances.

As bodies continue to wash ashore near Janzour and Zuwara, the disconnect between high-level security agreements and the humanitarian reality on the ground remains a central challenge for both European and Libyan policymakers.

Libya Observer, InfoMigrants via Ansa, Maghrebi.org