TRIPOLI – Hundreds of migrants had been rescued off Libya’s coast in two separate operations, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Sunday (Oct. 3).
In one of the operations, “around 500 people disembarked at Azzawiya Refinery Point after being rescued/intercepted at sea on wooden boat this morning,” the UNHCR tweeted.
🚨Around 500 ppl disembarked at Azzawiya Refinery Point after being rescued/intercepted at sea on wooden boat this morning.
Group inc. persons from Somalia, Sudan, Bangladesh,Syria.UNHCR & partner IRC provided assistance, medical help.
— UNHCR Libya (@UNHCRLibya) October 3, 2021
In the other operation, the agency added, 56 people, including three children, were rescued after the engine on their rubber boat had broken at sea.
Libya, suffering insecurity and chaos since 2011, has been a preferred point of departure for migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. (Xinhua) – bny
