A total of 4,129 illegal migrants rescued and returned to Libya this year, IOM estimates

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TRIPOLI, 16 March, 2021 (TON): In 2021, a total of 4,129 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far, said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday.

The media cited IOM saying, the rescued migrants comprised 293 women and 215 children.

73 migrants died and 159 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route so far this year, it added.

According to the IOM estimates, a total of 11,891 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya in 2020.

However, in the North African nation following the 2011 uprising that toppled Qaddafi, thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean from Libya towards Europe amid the chaos and violence. Many were either rescued or arrested by the authorities.

 

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