DEVELOPMENT OF THE STORYDEVELOPMENT OF THE STORY,
The International Organization for Migration's Libya office quoted survivors as saying the boat was carrying about 86 people.
At least 61 refugees and asylum seekers, including women and children, have drowned after a “tragic” shipwreck off Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The organization's Libya office quoted survivors early Sunday as saying the boat was carrying about 86 people.
A “large number of migrants” are believed to have died from high waves that swamped their ship after it left Zuwara on Libya's northwest coast, a statement from the IOM office in Libya said.
Libya and Tunisia are the main departure points for refugees and asylum seekers who risk dangerous sea journeys in the hope of reaching Europe via Italy.
In the latest incident, most of the victims – including women and children – were from Nigeria, Gambia and other African countries, the IOM office said, adding that nearly 25 people were rescued and taken to a Libyan detention camp.
An IOM team “provided medical support” and the survivors were all in good condition, the organization said.
Flavio Di Giacomo, an IOM spokesman, wrote on to rescue”.
On June 14 this year, the Adriana, a fishing boat loaded with 750 people en route from Libya to Italy, sank in international waters off southwest Greece.
According to survivors, the ship was carrying mostly Syrians, Pakistanis and Egyptians. Only 104 survived and 82 bodies were recovered.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, more than 153,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Tunisia and Libya came to Italy this year.