The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 979 immigrants were intercepted and returned off the coast of Libya in the past week.
“From 25 to 31 August 2024, 979 immigrants were intercepted and returned to Libya,” IOM said in a statement on Monday.
The immigrants included 74 women and 33 children, IOM said, adding that seven bodies of immigrants were recovered, and eight others went missing off the Libyan coast.
A total of 15,117 immigrants have been intercepted this year, while 434 died and 611 others went missing off the coast, IOM said. According to IOM, 17,190 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya in 2023.
