A migrant boat capsized off the western Libyan city of Zawiya, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and leaving at least 18 others missing, authorities reported.

The Libya Ambulance and Emergency Service stated that 92 survivors were rescued from the incident, while rescue operations continue for those still missing. Among the deceased were four Egyptians and two Somalis. The tragedy highlights the ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe through Libya.

Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has remained a major transit point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean. Political divisions between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the eastern administration allied with Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army have fueled insecurity, enabling human trafficking networks and repeated maritime disasters.

Recent reports indicate that such incidents have continued unabated, as the country’s fragmented governance has limited effective regulation of migration routes and port safety. International organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have warned that the death toll among migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing is likely to rise without urgent action.

The incident adds to a growing pattern of migrant tragedies in the Mediterranean, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international responses to human trafficking, border management, and the protection of vulnerable populations.

“These repeated maritime accidents highlight both the desperation of migrants and the ongoing failure of authorities to ensure safe passage. Immediate humanitarian assistance and enhanced coordination are crucial,” experts said.

Libya continues to struggle with a dual challenge: containing human smuggling networks and addressing the humanitarian needs of those trapped in conflict zones and detention centers. The Zawiya capsizing is the latest reminder of the deadly risks faced by migrants on this route.(ILKHA)