Libyan coastguard rescues almost 100 migrants

Almost 100 migrants were rescued off the west coast of Libya on Sunday as they made failed attempts to reach Europe, while around 20 were missing, AFP reporters and the coastguard said.

The Libyan coastguard rescued the mostly African migrants — the majority being from Cameroon, Sudan and Mali, as they attempted perilous sea crossings to Italy.

The migrants were brought to a naval base in the capital Tripoli, where they were met by a team from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The survivors included six women and two children. Two people in critical condition were transported to the hospital in the capital city while around 20 were missing.

On Saturday, German charity Sea-Watch said it had saved nearly 150 migrants off the Libyan coast in two operations.

More than 1,200 migrants and asylum-seekers died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2020, according to the IOM.

At least 3,700 men, women, and children were returned to (Libya) this year — often ending up in detention centres.