At Least 50 Killed in Migrant-Boat Fire off Libya

Tripoli: At least 50 people have died following a fire on a migrant boat off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The tragic incident occurred on Sunday and involved a vessel carrying 75 Sudanese refugees.

According to Ansa News Agency, the UN agency expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and reported that the fire erupted on September 14. The IOM managed to provide medical care to 24 survivors from the incident. In a statement via X, the agency emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent such incidents at sea.

The central Mediterranean route, which stretches from North Africa to Italy, is considered one of the most perilous paths for migrants. The IOM has reported that 876 people have either died or gone missing on this route in the current year alone, out of a total of 1,225 across the entire Mediterranean.