53 Migrants Dead or Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Libyan Coast
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
A rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the Libyan coast, leaving at least 53 dead or missing, including two babies. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the vessel overturned north of Zuwara
The boat departed from al-Zawiya late on February 5, capsizing roughly six hours into the journey after taking on water. Only two Nigerian women were rescued and received emergency medical assistance from IOM teams upon disembarking.
The Central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes, with over 1,300 people missing in 2025. This latest tragedy brings the early 2026 death toll on this specific route to at least 484 people.
Severe weather has worsened conditions, leading to many “invisible” shipwrecks that go unrecorded due to a lack of witnesses. The IOM emphasizes that current search and rescue efforts are insufficient to handle the recurring loss of life.
The IOM stated, “IOM data show that in January alone, at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing following multiple ‘invisible’ shipwrecks in the Central Mediterranean amid extreme weather, with hundreds more deaths believed to be unrecorded.
These repeated incidents underscore the persistent and deadly risks faced by migrants and refugees attempting the dangerous crossing.”
Rights groups warn that those fleeing Libya face extreme risks of torture and human trafficking. Since 2011, the country has been a major transit point for those seeking safety in Europe on unseaworthy vessels.
