International: A boat carrying asylum seekers capsized in the coast of Libya. At least 74 people have died. The UN refugee agency has confirmed the information. The boat was carrying more than 120 passengers.
The influx of refugees from different countries to Europe has increased this year. In the hope of a better life, many people try to cross dangerous paths and enter different countries of Europe. More and more refugees are migrating to Europe from Libya and neighboring Tunisia in recent times.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (IOM) said in a statement that at least 64 refugees had been killed when a boat capsized off the coast of Khoms. The accident has been described as devastating.
The port city of Khoms is located 120 kilometers west of the Libyan capital Tripoli. At least six refugee boats have been involved in accidents since October this year. Many people have died as a result.
The boat, which crashed on Thursday, had more than 120 passengers on board, the IOM said. Among them were women and children. Already 48 people have been rescued alive. On the other hand, 31 bodies have been recovered.
Two days ago, at least 19 people drowned when two boats capsized in the central Mediterranean. Among them were two children. The UN refugee agency says more than 20,000 refugees have died in the past seven years.
The IOM says at least 900 people have drowned in the Mediterranean this year while trying to cross into Europe. On the other hand, more than 11,000 people have returned to Libya after being captured by the coast guard.
Meanwhile, five people were killed when a boat carrying refugees capsized last Wednesday. About 100 refugees have been rescued alive from there.
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