53 migrants, including two infants, drowned and went missing off the coast of Libya

The boat capsized north of Zuwara, Libya, on February 6. One of the survivors reported the loss of her husband, while the other said she lost her two infants in this tragedy.

And in press release The International Organization for Migration expressed its deep sadness at the loss of lives in a new fatal accident on the Central Mediterranean Road. Its teams provided emergency medical care to the two survivors immediately after they were disembarked, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Data from the International Organization for Migration indicate that during the month of January alone, at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing as a result of several “invisible” drowning incidents in the central Mediterranean, under harsh weather conditions, with hundreds of other undetected deaths likely occurring.

The organization said that these repeated incidents highlight the ongoing and deadly risks that migrants and refugees face while trying to cross this dangerous road.

The organization warned that human trafficking and migrant smuggling networks continue to exploit migrants on the central Mediterranean route, making profits from dangerous crossings on unseaworthy boats, and exposing people to serious violations and protection risks.

The organization stresses the need to strengthen international cooperation and responses that put protection at its core to confront smuggling and human trafficking networks, in addition to providing safe and regular migration paths to reduce risks and save lives.