Around 50 Sudanese refugees dead off Libya’s coastline
At least 50 people have died after a boat carrying Sudanese refugees caught fire off Libya’s coast, according to The National on September 16th.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said they are “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life”, adding that “at least 50 lives were lost.”
There were approximately 75 refugees on the vessel, with the agency providing medical support to 24 survivors. They expressed their desire to see “urgent action” to ensure these tragedies never occur again.
Libya is one of the epicentres for Europe’s battle to control migration and those seeking asylum, as many people escaping conflict, poverty and political instability seek to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean from Libya.
As of February 2025, 867,055 migrants spanning 44 different nationalities were residing in Libya according to IOM data.
Nations in the Maghreb region, including Libya and Mauritania, have been accused of exploiting EU deals to enact human rights violations, with testimonies citing torture, rape, arbitrary detention and expulsions towards migrants and refugees seeking a better life.
These incidents highlight the desperation of European countries to stem irregular migration across the Mediterranean, alongside the recurring instability in the African continent, which has exacerbated this humanitarian crisis.
Furthermore, this tragedy emerges alongside recent developments between Libya and Malta, who have entered discussions surrounding maritime borders and strengthening their stance on migration in order to prevent events like these occurring.
Talks between the two vitally positioned nations covered bilateral cooperation in border management, coast guard coordination and potential third-country negotiations to alleviate the crisis.
Political division in Libya has further accentuated the crisis, which has complicated diplomatic negotiations and deals with EU member states. Greece agreed a deal with General Khalifa Haftar, affiliated with the unrecognised eastern Libyan administration, to provide specialist training to combat illegal migration.
Smuggling networks across Libya and northern Africa continue to operate though, with the bodies of 19 migrants linked to these networks found in three graves in eastern Libya recently.
The National, Maghrebi.org
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