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EUROPE-MIGRANTS-LIBYA
Five migrants die, nearly 200 rescued off Libya
TRIPOLI, June 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Five migrants died and nearly 200 were
rescued off the coast of Libya while trying to cross the Mediterranean to
Europe in two boats, the Libyan navy said Saturday.
Three children and nine women were among 94 migrants rescued on Friday
when their inflatable dinghy sank 12 nautical miles from Garabulli, east of
the capital Tripoli.
Five migrants — from Sudan, Nigeria, Chad and Egypt — aboard the same
vessel lost their lives, said navy spokesman Ayoub Kacem.
Another 91 migrants travelling in another boat were rescued in the same
area, the spokesman said.
A total of 900 migrants have been intercepted or rescued by the Libyan
navy since Wednesday as departures pick up due to favourable weather.
Usually in such cases the migrants are taken to detention centres pending
repatriation.
Libya is a key departure point for thousands of migrants hoping to reach
Europe, although hundreds drown each year attempting the crossing.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1624 hrs