Two boats carrying dozens of refugees sank deep in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Al-Khums, Libya, on Saturday evening. The refugees were heading toward European shores, resulting in several deaths and many missing.
The UNHCR office in Libya expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life caused by the sinking of the two boats off Al-Khums. Several people, including children, were reported dead.
In a brief statement posted on its official Facebook page, the UNHCR said that among the passengers were a number of Sudanese nationals who had fled the war after witnessing horrific atrocities and enduring extreme humanitarian conditions, with no safe alternatives available to them.
“These repeated tragedies remind us of the depth of desperation that drives so many to risk their lives at sea,” the UNHCR said.
The agency called for urgent efforts to end the conflict in Sudan and expand safe and legal pathways, including evacuation operations from Libya, so that no one is forced to embark on such perilous journeys.
