Libya: 18 dead after migrant boat capsized

Eighteen people were found dead after a wooden boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized off the coast of Surman, Libya, according to The New Arab via agencies on 28th October.

The vessel is suspected to have capsized only a few hours into its journey due to high waves. In an official statement made by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 64 people were rescued; however, a reported eighteen were unable to be saved.

Libya is a major transit point for sub-Saharan African migrants who are often fleeing conflict, political instability or poverty in their home countries.

The IOM reported that, among the survivors, there were 29 Sudanese men, a Sudanese woman and child, 12 Pakistani men, and three Somali men. The nationalities of those who died are not yet known.

This occurrence reflects the current dangers migrants face when attempting to seek passage by sea. On 22nd October, 40 migrants were found dead in a similar shipwreck on the Tunisian coast. Furthermore, at least 61 migrant bodies had been found along the western coast of Libya’s capital, Tripoli, earlier in October.

IOM claims that the central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Europe is “one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors.” The organisation’s Missing Migrants Project reported that in 2025, approximately 1,046 people have died or gone missing, with 527 of those incidents occurring along the Libyan coast.

However, it is also important to consider the danger of sea journeys under Libya and Italy’s recent renewal of their migrant deal that aims to crack down on irregular migration. Libya and Italy’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Migration Cooperation allows the Libyan coast guard to use Italian funding to restrict and deter migration. This is done by intercepting migrant vessels and placing those on-board in Libyan detention centres where they are exposed to poor living conditions, forced labour, torture and rape. Furthermore, Libya’s coast guard has also been reported to open fire on rescue vessels.

While the IOM has claimed to be working with local groups to ensure the survivors of the shipwreck receive aid, it has also appealed for action to prevent migrant shipwrecks.

The reality is that many migrants are fleeing countries in dire states of war and poverty. They are willing to risk the deadly central Mediterranean route. The journey has become more dangerous due to hostile migration policies brokered by nations such as Libya and Italy, but they take the risk if it offers a chance at safety and opportunity.

As a result, shipwrecks and migrant deaths are likely to continue along the Libyan coast for the foreseeable future.

The New Arab via agencies, Maghrebi.org,