Illegal Migrants Might Have to Think Again Before Crossing to Europe After a Horrifying Discovery Involving 11 People
The bodies of 11 people have been discovered in the sea off the coast of Libya, highlighting once again the deadly dangers faced by people attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
The bodies were found on Friday morning, August 14, along a route commonly used by migrants trying to travel from North Africa towards Europe.
A plane operated by a non-governmental organisation was flying over the area when its crew spotted the bodies in the water. They were reportedly found around 57 nautical miles from Zuwara, a coastal town in north-western Libya.
Reports said the bodies were already in an advanced state of decomposition, suggesting they may have been in the water for some time. They were found inside the Libyan Search and Rescue area.
After making the disturbing discovery, the crew reported what they had seen to the Italian Coast Guard’s National Operations Centre so that the relevant authorities could be informed.
According to reports, the bodies were spotted by the crew of the Albatross aircraft. Some of the victims still had clothes on, while others were reportedly found floating with the help of tyre tubes.
It is not yet clear exactly what happened to the 11 people, how long they had been at sea, or whether they had been travelling together on the same boat. Their identities have also not been confirmed in the reports.
Another serious incident was reported during the night. According to information attributed to Sea-Watch, six people ended up in the water before being reached by a rescue crew. They were later rescued.
The latest discovery comes after several deadly incidents involving people attempting to cross the central Mediterranean from North Africa towards Europe.
In June, at least 11 people reportedly died after a boat carrying around 60 people capsized near Malta. The vessel had left Libya before running into serious trouble during the journey. The Italian Coast Guard later recovered the bodies of 10 victims.
Another major tragedy involved a wooden boat that had reportedly left Tripoli carrying around 105 people, including women and children.
The boat got into difficulty in the Mediterranean and remained in a dangerous situation for hours. Rescue operations were launched, but reports said more than 70 people were missing following the disaster.
These incidents show just how dangerous the Mediterranean crossing can be. Many of the boats used for the journey are overcrowded and unsuitable for travelling long distances across open water.
When a boat capsizes, develops mechanical problems or begins taking on water, the people on board can quickly find themselves in a life-threatening situation, especially when they are far from land.
The discovery of the 11 bodies off Libya is another grim reminder of the human cost of these dangerous journeys. Authorities and rescue organisations continue to operate in the Mediterranean, but people are still losing their lives while attempting to reach Europe by sea.
