Libya’s eastern-based coast guard under the Libyan National Army has rescued at least 404 migrants aboard 10 boats after they were stranded in “harsh conditions at sea,” according to the Tobruk Red Crescent.
The rescue operation took place off the coast of Tobruk, a coastal city in eastern Libya near the border with Egypt. The Red Crescent confirmed the migrants were of multiple nationalities.
In images shared on Facebook, Red Crescent volunteers were seen providing first aid, food, and blankets to the rescued migrants as part of emergency humanitarian support efforts.
Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants, particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa, who attempt dangerous journeys across the desert and Mediterranean Sea in search of better economic opportunities and safety in Europe.
Many of these journeys are facilitated by smuggling networks, with migrants often departing in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.
The latest rescue comes days after a deadly incident in the same region. On Monday, at least 10 migrants were confirmed dead after a boat capsized off the coast of Tobruk, while 31 others remain missing, according to multiple Libyan sources and the International Organization for Migration.
Earlier reports indicated that six bodies had already been recovered after washing ashore on Saturday, underscoring the growing dangers of migration routes through Libya’s eastern Mediterranean corridor.
Humanitarian agencies continue to warn that worsening conditions at sea, combined with instability in Libya and limited safe migration pathways, are contributing to repeated tragedies along one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
Authorities say search and rescue operations are ongoing as they monitor the area for additional survivors or casualties.
