A maritime accident off Libya’s coast, occurring sometime overnight between December 14 and 15, 2023, claimed the lives of at least 61 individuals, including women and children, when a boat carrying approximately 86 migrants capsized near Zuwara.
The vessel was navigating the central Mediterranean route, a passage known for its challenging sea conditions and high risk of accidents.
The boat encountered severe difficulties during the journey, reportedly facing waves up to eight feet high. Alarm Phone, a hotline service for migrant emergencies, received a distress call from the boat. It was reported that the Libyan coast guard did not respond to the call for assistance.
Survivors of the incident were subsequently taken to detention centers in Libya, where conditions have been criticized for being harsh and, in some cases, inhumane, with allegations of abuse and torture.
The majority of the victims in this tragedy were identified as citizens of Nigeria, The Gambia, and other African nations. This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing migrant fatalities in the central Mediterranean. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted that from January to November 2023, at least 940 migrants died and 1,248 were reported missing in this region while trying to reach Europe.
In 2022, the IOM reported approximately 1,400 dead and missing along this route, reflecting the dangers faced by those attempting the journey.
Libya’s ongoing conflict has intensified the crisis, making it a focal point for human trafficking. Migrants, often escaping conflict and economic hardship, find themselves funneled through Libya and placed on overcrowded and ill-equipped vessels. The recent event has sparked renewed demands for better search and rescue operations and more effective maritime surveillance to prevent future tragedies.
In June, an accident was reported involving the Adriana, a fishing boat carrying predominantly Syrians, Pakistanis, and Egyptians, which sank in international waters off the coast of Greece, resulting in 646 fatalities.
The year has also seen a substantial influx of over 153,000 refugees and migrants arriving in Italy, mainly from Tunisia and Libya, highlighting the ongoing magnitude of the migration crisis in the Mediterranean.
