23 March 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the shocking discovery of a mass grave in southwestern Libya containing the remains of at least 65 migrants.
The cause of death and nationalities of the deceased remain unclear, but the IOM suspects they perished while being smuggled through the harsh Libyan desert en route to the Mediterranean Sea.
“Deeply shocked” by the find, the IOM emphasized the ongoing tragedy of migrant deaths. This incident, they say, highlights the dangers faced by migrants and the urgent need for safer alternatives.
The discovery comes amidst a series of recent events related to migration in the region:
Rwanda recently accepted refugees from Libya, including Ethiopians.
The family of an Ethiopian migrant who died at sea sued the French government.
At least 60 migrants perished in a separate Mediterranean Sea incident.
The IOM emphasizes the need for collaboration to address dangerous smuggling routes and establish legal avenues for migration.
Libya is a key transit point for migrants attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. The IOM is urging Libyan authorities and the UN to work together to identify the victims in the mass grave, located in Jumla cemetery.
This discovery follows news of at least 60 migrants who died at sea off the Libyan coast. The IOM reports a troubling rise in migrant deaths over the past decade, with over 8,565 lives lost globally.
