Nine migrant bodies recovered after boat capsizes off Libya

Nine migrant bodies have been recovered from the shores of Tajoura, an eastern suburb of Libya’s capital, Tripoli, after a boat carrying about 19 people capsized.

The bodies were recovered over two days, according to the Tripoli branch of the Red Crescent, which said search and recovery operations were still ongoing.

Muad Zurgani, a media officer with the Tripoli Red Crescent, said more bodies could wash ashore because of the number of people believed to have been on the boat.

“The search and recovery operations are still ongoing,” the Red Crescent said, describing the operation as requiring continuous effort and an urgent humanitarian response.

Images released by the humanitarian organisation showed Red Crescent volunteers and security personnel carrying bodies in white bags from the beach.

In a separate incident on Monday, the rescue ship EMERGENCY rescued 50 migrants from a wooden boat in international waters off Libya, while seven others were found dead.

Libya remains a major transit point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty who attempt to reach Europe through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.

The dangerous Mediterranean crossing has continued to claim migrant lives, with Libya serving as one of the main departure points for people attempting the journey to Europe.

Authorities and humanitarian organisations are continuing the search for possible survivors and additional victims from the latest boat disaster.