Libya’s coastguards rescue 116 migrants off the coast, MSF denounces

BY Libyan Express Feb 23, 2019 - 13:27

Number of illegal migrants arriving has been shrinking over the last year. [Photo: Archive – Internet]

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported that 116 migrants have been “forcibly returned” to Libya after a day and a half at sea.

MSF said in a tweet that the migrants, including 21 women and children, disembarked in the western coastal city of Al-Khums early Thursday.”MSF provided water, food, blankets and hygiene kits to the group, which also included a pregnant woman and 6-month-old baby.”The report says.

The Spokesman of the Libyan Navy, Ayoub Qassim, confirmed a boat carrying immigrants – mainly African – was rescued in the Mediterranean Sea, but rejected the term “forcibly returned,” saying the Libyan coastguards “rescued them from the sea for their safety.”

Libya has been the number one taking off point to Europe for those fleeing poverty and civil war elsewhere in Africa since 2012.

The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.