By Farah Waleed.
Tripoli, 11 May 2014:
The Libyan Coast Guard has rescued 51 migrants heading to Europe whose . . .[restrict]boat sank yesterday. The bodies of 40 others have been recovered so far.
The migrants, from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana and Mali, had set sail from Garabulli, east of Tripoli, two days ago, the Coast Guard said. The boat had capsized less than five kilometres offshore, it is thought because of overcrowding. Survivors said that there were some 130 on board.
A search for the other 40 is continuing.
Libya is the main point of departure for tens of thousands of illegal migrants, from Africa as well as Asia, seeking a better future in Europe. It is estimated that well over a thousand leave each day, reportedly paying about $1,000 each for the trip. It is alleged that even local officials in some ports are involved in the racket.
Libya has tried to crack down on illegal migration but stemming the flow is beyond its capabilities in the present situation. [/restrict]
