Libyan navy rescues 116 migrants stranded at sea

By Ayse Sumeyra Aydogdu

TRIPOLI (AA) – Libyan naval forces on Sunday rescued 116 migrants in the country’s western coast.

According to a statement by the Libyan navy, the migrants were aboard a rubber boat north of Zuwara in western Libya.

The migrants, including five women, were from Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Mali, Gambia, Chad and Nigeria. They were transferred to the Tripoli naval base for humanitarian and medical relief, the statement said.

Earlier on Sunday, 40 migrants were rescued by the Libyan naval forces.

Ever since the collapse of the central authority in Libya in 2011, the country’s northwestern coast has become a hub for illegal migration to Italy and other countries in Europe.

Libya represents a major transit point for African migrants seeking access to Europe, especially Italy.