Children Among 61 Migrants Feared Drowned Off Libya While Crossing Mediterranean Sea

The UN agency, IMO, has said that 61 migrants are feared drowned after their ship was swamped by high sea waves while they were trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that 61 migrants, including children, are believed to have drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya while they were trying to cross the Mediterranean seat to enter Europe, reported BBC. IOM, a United Nations agency, quoted survivors and stated the ship left the city of Zuwara with around 86 people on board.

The agency further said that high waves inundated the boar and 61 migrants have been missing since then, presumed dead. BBC reported that Libya is among the main departure points for migrants who want to enter Europe.

The UN agency said most of the victims of the latest incident were from Nigeria, Gambia, and other African countries, the report added citing BBC. IMO added that 25 survivors were transferred to a Libyan detention centre and were being given medical support.

According to BBC, the UN body estimated that more than 2,200 people have drowned while attempting the crossing this year alone, making it one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.

In August, 41 migrants died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, Reuters reported citing the Ansa news agency. It added that a group of four people who survived the shipwreck told rescuers that they were on a boat carrying 45 people, including three children.

According to the survivors, originally from the Ivory Coast and Guinea, the boat set off on Thursday morning from Tunisia's Sfax but capsized and sank after a few hours, reported Reuters.

In June this year, at least 78 people died while 100 others were rescued after a fishing boat sank off southern Greece. The Mediterranean crossing witnesses frequent crowds of migrants onto boats too small to safely hold them. Those taking the trip typically hope to land in Italy before making their way to other countries in Europe.

According to the UN's refugee agency, BBC reported, over 153,000 migrants have arrived in Italy this year from Tunisia and Libya.