(AP) — A boat carrying dozens of Sudanese migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea near eastern Libya, leaving at least 17 people dead and nine others missing, United Nations officials said Thursday, in the latest tragedy along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
Only seven people survived the disaster, the UNHCR said in a statement posted on social media. The timeline of the incident was not immediately clear, but rescuers indicated the vessel had been adrift for several days before survivors were located.
The International Organization for Migration said those rescued were in critical condition after being stranded at sea without sufficient food or water. Some of the migrants are believed to have died from dehydration and starvation before help arrived.
The boat departed from Tobruk and was headed toward Greece when it overturned roughly 100 kilometers northwest of the coastal city, the migration agency said. Rescue efforts involved the Libyan navy, the coast guard, and the Libyan Red Crescent.
Images shared by the Red Crescent showed recovery teams handling bodies placed in black bags, underscoring the scale of the loss. Officials did not immediately provide details on the condition of the survivors or whether additional people might still be found.
Libya has long served as a major departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea. Many are fleeing conflict, economic hardship, and instability across parts of Africa and beyond. The collapse of central authority in Libya following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi has left the country with limited control over its borders, allowing human smuggling networks to flourish.
The latest incident follows a string of recent disasters in the central Mediterranean. Earlier this month, more than 80 migrants were reported missing after another boat sank after leaving a Libyan coastal town.
Data released in April by the International Organization for Migration shows that 2026 is shaping up to be one of the deadliest years for migrants crossing the Mediterranean since records began more than a decade ago. At least 765 people have died along the central route alone this year, marking a sharp increase compared with the same period in 2025.
Amy Pope, director general of the migration agency, said in remarks to The Associated Press earlier this month that the number of migrants attempting the crossing is rising, with increasing numbers coming from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
Officials said it remains unclear what caused the vessel to capsize. Overcrowding, poor vessel conditions, and rough sea conditions are frequently cited in similar incidents. Investigators are expected to examine survivor accounts and any available evidence to determine what led to the accident.
Search efforts for the missing were ongoing as of Thursday, though hopes of finding additional survivors were fading.
The latest shipwreck highlights the worsening humanitarian situation in the Mediterranean, where migration routes have become increasingly dangerous due to stricter border controls and the growing influence of smuggling networks. As legal pathways to migration remain limited, many individuals resort to risky sea journeys aboard unseaworthy vessels.
The sharp increase in fatalities suggests that current deterrence measures may be pushing migrants toward more perilous routes rather than reducing crossings. Experts warn that without expanded rescue operations and safer migration options, the death toll is likely to continue rising.
The involvement of multiple nationalities in recent crossings also points to broader global instability. Conflicts, economic challenges, and climate-related pressures are contributing to increased displacement, placing additional strain on already dangerous migration corridors.
Libya’s ongoing political fragmentation further complicates rescue and prevention efforts. Competing authorities and limited resources have made it difficult to regulate coastal departures or dismantle smuggling networks effectively.
The repeated loss of life at sea is expected to renew calls for coordinated international action. Humanitarian groups have urged stronger search-and-rescue missions, improved conditions for migrants in transit countries, and expanded legal migration pathways.
European nations, meanwhile, continue to face political pressure over migration policies, with debates intensifying over border enforcement, asylum systems, and responsibility-sharing among countries.
For now, the waters off Libya remain a perilous gateway for those seeking a better life, with each new tragedy underscoring the urgent need for solutions that balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations.
AP/NewsArab
