The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Wednesday that nearly 140 illegal migrants were rescued off Libya’s western coast.
“Nearly 140 persons aboard 2 boats have been intercepted/rescued by Libyan Coast Guard and returned to Tripoli. UNHCR and partner IRC (International Rescue Committee) are providing assistance and medical care to all survivors,” UNHCR tweeted, adding that Libya is not a safe port for refugees to disembark at.
Last year, 323 immigrants died and 417 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route, while 11.891 more were rescued and returned to Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).