Hundreds of migrants returned to Libya after rescue at sea
The Libyan Coast Guard has intercepted and brought back thousands of people seeking to illegally enter Europe via the Mediterranean this year.
More than 270 people were rescued at sea this week after attempting to sail to Europe from Libya.
The group of migrants and refugees was saved by the Vos Triton ship on Monday in international waters. On Tuesday, the the Libyan Coast Guard brought them to Tripoli, where they were taken into detention, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement Wednesday. The Vos Triton is a transportation vessel that flies the flag of Gibraltar and docks in Tripoli, according to the shipping tracking website MarineTraffic.
Libya is a common departure point for people seeking to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea from the African continent. Many seek better living conditions in Europe or are fleeing violence in their home countries. The Libyan Coast Guard has returned more than 13,000 to shore so far this year, already surpassing the same figure for all of 2020. Several hundred have died making the perilous journey, according to the IOM, which is a body of the United Nations.
Those seeking to cross the sea are not necessarily safe after they are rescued. Libya is not a safe place for returned migrants, according to the IOM.
