600 Europe-bound African migrants detained in Libya
Libyan authorities have detained nearly 600 illegal migrants from Africa that intended to venture into Europe in a risky sea journey, a coastguard official said.
The African migrants were taken into custody on Saturday, AFP reported on Saturday citing local officials.
Hundreds of those detained on Saturday were observed sitting on the ground next to a detention center in the Libyan capital, as local authorities distributed food and drink among them.
Not recognized internationally, the government currently in power in Tripoli has expanded detention of illegal migrants in recent weeks.
Last Sunday, authorities affiliated with the Tripoli government declared the arrest of 400 illegal migrants as an operation was launched to target human traffickers.
Libya has a coastline of 1,770 kilometers and has long served a staging area for Africans migrants seeking to sail towards Europe with hopes for a better life.
Taking an advantage of Libya chaos to boost their business, most of the traffickers sail towards the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies about 300 kilometers from the Libyan coastline.
Last month, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that at least 700 people were feared dead after a ship smuggling migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.
UNHCR spokeswoman Carlotta Sami said that only 28 people survived the incident, which took place on April 16.
According to survivors, the fishing boat had been carrying more than 700 people. The survivors were rescued after a helicopter saw them floating in the sea.
Libyan officials say nearly 7,000 illegal migrants are being held in 16 detention centers across the country awaiting deportation proceedings.
MFB/NT/AS
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