Tripoli, November 17 (Darfur24)
Two boats carrying dozens of refugees capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of the Libyan city of Al-Khums on Saturday evening, leaving several people dead and others missing. The passengers had been attempting the dangerous journey toward Europe.
The UNHCR in Libya expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirming that several children were among the victims. In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the agency said that several of those on board were Sudanese who had fled the war after witnessing atrocities and enduring dire humanitarian conditions, with no safe alternatives available to them.
“These recurring tragedies remind us of the scale of desperation that drives so many to risk their lives across the sea,” the agency said.
The UNHCR renewed its call for urgent efforts to end the conflict in Sudan and to expand safe, legal pathways, including evacuations out of Libya, to prevent more loss of life.
The United Nations reported earlier this month that about 42 migrants, including 29 Sudanese refugees, drowned when another boat capsized off the Libyan coast. Only seven people survived, among them four Sudanese.
Last December, approximately 74 refugees, mostly Sudanese, drowned, with just 13 survivors and dozens still missing. A similar tragedy occurred in October, when 18 people died and 91 were rescued near Tobruk in eastern Libya.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Libyan Coast Guard intercepted 568 migrants between November 2 and 8 and returned them to Libya. In total, 21,762 migrants were intercepted in 2024 and 17,190 in 2023. From January to November 2025, the number had risen to approximately 23,513.
Libya continues to host a large population of Sudanese refugees. As of September, the UNHCR estimated around 357,000 Sudanese refugees were in the country.