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Dozens of migrants feared dead after boat capsizes off Libya coast

The boat capsized on Friday in the Central Mediterranean, the world’s deadliest migration route

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Close popoverMigrant boat collision kills at least 15

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Fifty-three migrants, including two babies, are feared dead after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Monday.

Two Nigerian women were rescued after the vessel overturned north of Zuwara, Libya, in the early hours of Friday morning. One survivor said they lost their husband, while another reported losing her two babies when the boat sank.

The boat, which was carrying migrants and refugees from African countries, departed from Al-Zawiya, Libya, at around 11pm on Thursday 5 February. It capsized around six hours later after taking on water.

It brings the total number of migrants reported dead or missing on the Central Mediterranean route - which is the world’s deadliest - to at least 484 in 2026, according to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project.

open image in gallery(Getty)

There are believed to be hundreds more deaths which have not been recorded, the UN organisation said.

In 2025, more than 1,300 migrants died or went missing on the Central Mediterranean route.

The IOM said in a statement that trafficking networks “continue to exploit migrants along the Central Mediterranean route, profiting from dangerous crossings in unseaworthy boats while exposing people to severe abuse and protection risks”.

Officials in the organisation have previously warned that smugglers are using increasingly flimsy and cheap boats, in part a response to the destruction of migrant boats by government authorities in departure countries.

“IOM stresses the need for stronger international cooperation and protection-centred responses to address smuggling and trafficking networks, alongside safe and regular migration pathways to reduce risks and save lives,” it added in a statement.

The Libya incident comes days after 15 migrants were killed near the Greek island of Chios following a collision between a coast guard patrol vessel and a speedboat carrying migrants.

open image in galleryGreek coast guard officers carry out rescue operations at a port on the eastern Aegean island of Chios, Greece, late Tuesda (Politischios.gr)

A total of 24 migrants, including 11 children, were hospitalized on the island of Chios following the collision late on Tuesday night.

Two coast guard officers were also injured, with one remaining hospitalized Wednesday, the coast guard said.

The Greek coast guard said one of its patrol boats came across the speedboat making its way towards Chios without its navigation lights on.

The speedboat refused to stop despite sound and visual signals by the patrol boat crew and changed direction, colliding with the patrol boat and capsizing, the statement said.