Africa Map

African Press Agency

African Press Agency Logo
   

 Home
 Country Profile
 Useful Links
 Contact us

Home

Libya/MigrantsBack
[Published: Wednesday November 07 2018]

Libyan Coast Guard picks up 315 migrants attempting sea crossing

TRIPOLI, 07 Nov. - (ANA)  - The Libyan Coast Guard picked up a total of 315 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday who were trying to reach Europe in three inflatable boats, a spokesman said.

The migrants, who included 275 men, 32 women and eight children from different sub-Saharan and Arab countries, were moved to detention centers.

Libya’s western coast is a main departure point for migrants fleeing wars and poverty and hoping for new lives in Europe, though the number of crossings has dropped sharply since July 2017.

Coast Guard spokesman Ayoub Qassem said a patrol rescued 116 illegal migrants in an inflatable boat 50 miles off the town of Zawiya. A further 199 migrants were picked up from two inflatable boats off Kums.

Since last year, smuggling networks inside Libya have been disrupted under Italian pressure. Libya’s coastguard, backed by the European Union, has stepped up interceptions, returning more than 7,000 migrants to Libya this year.  - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/07 November 2018 - - -

 


North South News website

Advertise banner

News icon EU/Kenya/Pesticides
News icon UN/Israel/Gza
News icon US/Israel/Gaza
News icon Pakistan/ISI Interference
News icon EU/North Africa
News icon Senegal/Elections
News icon Israel/Gaza Massacre
News icon Russia/NATO
News icon Gaza/Victims Number
News icon Kenya/Uganda

AFRICAN PRESS AGENCY Copyright © 2005 - 2007