The Libyan Coast Guard has intercepted boats carrying 143 migrants off the country’s eastern coast within a single day. Meanwhile, the fate of a boat carrying 153 migrants, which was heading to Europe via the Atlantic Ocean along the West African route, remains unknown.
According to sea-news.az citing local media, that the migrants were detained during separate operations conducted near the cities of Tobruk and Sirte on July 10. Among them are 72 citizens of Sudan, 31 of Egypt, and 40 of Bangladesh.
On the other hand, the “Alarm Phone” platform, which collects information on migrants stranded at sea, reported that contact has been lost with a boat carrying 153 people that departed from the coast of Bafoulabé, Gambia, two weeks ago. To date, there is no information regarding the fate of the migrants.
According to data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), although illegal crossings recorded along the West African route in the first half of 2026 decreased by 67 percent compared to the same period last year, migrants continue to take dangerous maritime routes during the summer months in an attempt to reach Europe.
