Zuwara (AP) - 45 people died in a ship accident off the coast of Libya. The accident is "the largest registered shipwreck off the coast of Libya this year," said the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Five children are said to have been among the victims. The two organizations are calling for an immediate review of the incident and an expansion of search and rescue capacities on site.
About 37 survivors - mainly from Senegal, Mali, Chad and Ghana - were rescued by local fishermen and arrested on arrival on land, the IOM announced. According to their reports, the ship's engine had exploded off the coast of the northwestern city of Zuwara.
"We fear that many lives will be lost if the rescue capacity is not increased," wrote the spokesman for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Charlie Yaxley, on Twitter. Non-governmental organizations should be allowed to work without restrictions.
"We urge states to react swiftly to these incidents and to systematically provide the people rescued at sea with a predictable haven of safety," wrote IOM and UNHCR. In the past few months, there have been repeated unacceptable delays and a lack of assistance. That endangers human life unnecessarily. IOM spokeswoman Safa Msehli reminded states that they have an obligation under international law to protect civilians.
Libya has become an important transit country for migrants who want to flee to Europe from war and poverty. Civil war has raged in the country since the overthrow of long-term ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011 with Western help. Most migrants dare the dangerous crossing to Europe in unseaworthy rubber boats. Thousands were intercepted and returned to Libya.
According to the two organizations, at least 302 migrants and refugees were killed in returns to Libya this year. The actual death toll is estimated to be much higher.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200819-99-231585 / 2
Tweet IOM spokeswoman
Tweet UNHCR spokesman