Cairo: Libya’s coastguard has intercepted a total of 278 migrants on four Europe-bound boats in separate incidents off the capital, Tripoli, the troubled country’s navy said on Saturday.
The migrants were stopped on Tuesday off north-eastern and western Tripoli, the navy’s media office reported in a Facebook statement. They included two children, 18 women and a dead migrant, according to the statement.
The interception operations took place during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which ended on Wednesday.
Libya descended into chaos following a 2011 armed revolt that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.
In recent years, the country has been a major transit route for migrants, mostly Africans, trying to reach Europe by ship, with thousands being rescued or drowning at sea when their boat sinks. (DPA)
The migrants were stopped on Tuesday off north-eastern and western Tripoli, the navy’s media office reported in a Facebook statement. They included two children, 18 women and a dead migrant, according to the statement.
The interception operations took place during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which ended on Wednesday.
Libya descended into chaos following a 2011 armed revolt that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.
In recent years, the country has been a major transit route for migrants, mostly Africans, trying to reach Europe by ship, with thousands being rescued or drowning at sea when their boat sinks. (DPA)