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Scores Feared Dead as Migrants’ Boat Sinks Off Libya’s Coast Scores Feared Dead in Sinking off Libya
(about 1 hour later)
BENGHAZI, Libya — A boat packed with up to 250 African migrants trying to reach European shores sank Sunday off the Libyan coast, and most are feared dead, a spokesman for the Libyan Navy said.BENGHAZI, Libya — A boat packed with up to 250 African migrants trying to reach European shores sank Sunday off the Libyan coast, and most are feared dead, a spokesman for the Libyan Navy said.
Only 26 people have been rescued so far, said a navy spokesman, Ayub Qassem, adding that the boat sank near Tajoura, east of Tripoli, the capital.Only 26 people have been rescued so far, said a navy spokesman, Ayub Qassem, adding that the boat sank near Tajoura, east of Tripoli, the capital.
“There are so many dead bodies floating in the sea,” Mr. Qassem said. The underequipped coast guard lacked the boats to carry out a full search for survivors, he added.“There are so many dead bodies floating in the sea,” Mr. Qassem said. The underequipped coast guard lacked the boats to carry out a full search for survivors, he added.
Migrants have been streaming out of North Africa, mostly Libya, in rickety boats in rising numbers for years. Many head for Italy; more than 100,000 have reached its shores this year, according to the Italian government.Migrants have been streaming out of North Africa, mostly Libya, in rickety boats in rising numbers for years. Many head for Italy; more than 100,000 have reached its shores this year, according to the Italian government.
Human traffickers are exploiting the political chaos and lack of security in Libya since Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi was toppled in an uprising in 2011.Human traffickers are exploiting the political chaos and lack of security in Libya since Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi was toppled in an uprising in 2011.
Mr. Qassem said the migrants on the capsized boat were mostly Africans. Mr. Qassem said most of the migrants on the capsized boat were Africans.
Libya’s coast guard relies on fishing vessels and tugboats that it borrows from the Oil Ministry.Libya’s coast guard relies on fishing vessels and tugboats that it borrows from the Oil Ministry.
More than 100 African migrants died in a similar accident off Libya’s coast in August.More than 100 African migrants died in a similar accident off Libya’s coast in August.