Admin I Tuesday, February 10.26
ZUWARA — A desperate journey for a better life ended in horror today after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Libya, leaving at least 53 people dead or missing.
Among those lost in the churning Mediterranean waters are two infants, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The tragedy unfolded near the coastal town of Zuwara when a flimsy rubber dinghy, packed with 55 people, succumbed to the waves.
In a harrowing twist of fate, only two survivors have been pulled from the water. Both are Nigerian women who managed to cling to the wreckage before being rescued.
They are currently receiving medical treatment for extreme shock and exhaustion.
The IOM confirmed the grim figures this morning, stating that the search for bodies continues, though hopes of finding anyone else alive are fading fast.
To provide context for your readers, here is the essential background on why this keeps happening:
The “Deadliest Route”: The Central
Mediterranean crossing between Libya and Italy/Malta is officially recognized as the most dangerous maritime migration route in the world.
The Zuwara Connection: Zuwara is a notorious “jumping-off point” for human traffickers. Smugglers often cram dozens of people into unseaworthy rubber boats that are never intended to make the full journey.
Despite increased patrols, the number of deaths in 2025 and early 2026 has remained high as economic instability and conflict drive more people to attempt the crossing.
Search and Rescue: Responsibility for these waters is often a point of political contention between the Libyan Coast Guard and European NGOs, frequently leaving migrants in a “grey zone” where help arrives too late.
