53 Dead or Missing After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Libyan Coast
Key Facts
- 53 people are confirmed dead or missing following a shipwreck north of Zuwara.
- The vessel departed from al-Zawiya, Libya, at approximately 11:00 PM on February 5.
- The boat capsized roughly six hours after departure after taking on water.
- Two Nigerian women were the only survivors rescued during the search operation.
- The IOM recorded 375 migrant deaths or disappearances in the Mediterranean in January 2026 alone.
- More than 33,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean between 2014 and the end of 2025.
Fifty-three people are dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 passengers overturned in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Monday that only two survivors, both Nigerian women, were rescued by Libyan authorities following the incident on Friday. One survivor reported the loss of her husband, while the other stated her two babies died in the crossing.
Historical Context
Libya has served as a primary staging point for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempting to reach Europe since 2011. International human rights officials have documented systemic abuses within the country, including torture, trafficking, and forced labor, while the IOM reports that nearly 500 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean so far in 2026.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: BBC · The Guardian · Al Jazeera · New York Times | Aggregators: Global Conflict Monitor
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