A new tragic drowning incident off the coast of Libya reinforces the need for regional cooperation to save lives

According to survivors’ accounts, the boat – which was carrying 49 migrants and refugees – set off from the city of Zuwara on November 3 at around three in the morning. About six hours later, heavy waves caused the engine to fail, causing the boat to capsize and throw all passengers into the sea.

After drifting at sea for six days, only seven men – four from Sudan, two from Nigeria and one from Cameroon – survived and were rescued by Libyan authorities. The International Organization for Migration stated that its team provided the survivors with emergency medical care, water and food upon their arrival at the landing point in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Among the missing are 29 people from Sudan, eight from Somalia, three from Cameroon, and two from Nigeria.

The International Organization for Migration said this tragic incident – which comes just weeks after other deadly incidents off the coast of Surmane and Lampedusa – highlights the continuing risks that migrants and refugees face along the Central Mediterranean route.

According to the latest data from the organization’s Missing Migrants Project, the death toll in the central Mediterranean has exceeded 1,000 this year, reinforcing the urgent need to strengthen regional cooperation, expand safe and regular migration routes, and increase the effectiveness of search and rescue operations to prevent further loss of life, according to the International Organization for Migration.