A maritime accident off Libya’s coast, occurring sometime overnight between December 14 and 15, 2023, claimed the lives of at least 61 individuals, including women and children, when a boat carrying approximately 86 migrants capsized near Zuwara.
The vessel was traveling through the central Mediterranean, a route known for its difficult sea conditions and frequent accidents.
During its voyage, the boat encountered severe challenges, facing waves up to eight feet high. A distress call was sent from the boat to Alarm Phone, a hotline dedicated to migrant emergencies. It was reported that the Libyan coast guard did not respond to this emergency call.
The survivors were taken to detention centers in Libya, where conditions have been criticized for being harsh and, in some instances, inhumane, including reports of abuse and torture.
A large portion of the victims were identified as nationals from Nigeria, The Gambia, and other African countries.
This event is indicative of an ongoing trend of increasing deaths among migrants in the central Mediterranean.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that from January to November 2023, at least 940 migrants died, and 1,248 were reported missing in this region while trying to reach Europe.
In 2022, the IOM reported about 1,400 dead and missing on this route, highlighting the dangers of the journey.
The ongoing conflict in Libya has intensified the crisis, with the country becoming a key point for human trafficking. Migrants, often escaping conflict and economic hardship, are funneled through Libya onto overcrowded and insufficiently equipped vessels. This recent incident has led to renewed calls for enhanced search and rescue operations and improved maritime surveillance to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In June, there was a reported accident involving the Adriana, a fishing vessel carrying mostly Syrians, Pakistanis, and Egyptians, which sank in international waters off the coast of Greece, resulting in 646 fatalities.
This year has witnessed a substantial increase in refugees and migrants arriving in Italy, totaling over 153,000, primarily from Tunisia and Libya, highlighting the ongoing extent of the migration crisis in the Mediterranean.