By Afra Aksoy
TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – Libyan naval forces on Sunday announced the death of 11 undocumented migrants, and the rescue of another 83.
In a statement, the naval forces affiliated with the national consensus government said the bodies were found afloat on early Sunday, five miles off the coast of northwestern Sabrata city.
Those rescued from a plastic boat were from different African nationalities, it added.
They were later handed over to Libya’s anti-illegal immigration agency in northwestern Zawiya district.
Ever since the collapse of the central authority in Libya in 2011, the country’s northwestern coast has become a hub for illegal migration to Italy and other countries in Europe.
Libya represents a major transit point for African migrants seeking access to Europe.
