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LIBYA-IMMIGRANTS-RESCUE
Libyan navy rescues 152 illegal immigrants off western coast
TRIPOLI, June 10, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Libya’s navy on Saturday rescued
over 150 illegal immigrants on rubber boats off the country’s western coast,
a navy spokesman said.
“A coast guard patrol vessel rescued 152 immigrants of African
nationalities on two rubber boats, one of which almost drowned,” spokesman
Ayob Qassem told Xinhua.
“The first boat was rescued 20 miles (about 32 km) off the coast of the
Zuwara city west of the capital Tripoli, while the second boat was rescued 20
miles (about 32 km) off the coast of Garrabulli city east of Tripoli,” Qassem
said, adding that the second boat almost drowned before being assisted by a
Libyan oil tanker until the coast guard vessel arrived.
The rescued migrants have been taken to a Tripoli naval base, provided
with humanitarian and medical assistance, and handed over to the anti-illegal
immigration department, the spokesman said.
Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi,
Libya became a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to
cross the Mediterranean into Europe due to the country’s state of insecurity
and chaos.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1058 hrs