Three migrants, including two children, die during Mediterranean crossing
At least three migrants, including two young children, have died during a perilous sea crossing from Libya to Italy, according to a German rescue charity.
RESQSHIP said it rescued 59 others on Saturday from a rubber boat adrift south of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The boat had been spotted by a surveillance aircraft operated by the EU border agency Frontex.
'When we reached the boat at around 4:30 pm local time, some people had already died,' the charity said in a statement. A RESQSHIP medic reported receiving the bodies of two children, aged three and four, believed to have died from dehydration the previous day.
Many survivors, the organisation said, were suffering from burns caused by a mixture of saltwater and fuel. Two children and four critically ill adults were handed over to the Italian coastguard for urgent medical care.
The rubber dinghy had reportedly departed from the Libyan port of Zawiya on Wednesday. Its engine failed within 24 hours, leaving the passengers at the mercy of the sea for days. Tags: illegal immigrants rescue Drowning
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Observer
10 hours ago
- Libya Observer
EU envoy reaffirms full support for UN efforts in Libya
The European Union's Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, has reaffirmed the EU's full support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) during a meeting with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Orlando said he discussed with Tetteh the latest political developments in Libya and the next steps in the UN-led political process, as well as ongoing engagement with Libyan and international partners. The EU envoy praised what he described as a 'renewed sense of urgency' in the mission's consultations, reaffirming the EU's strong commitment to supporting efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in Libya. He also emphasized the importance of constructive engagement by all Libyan parties with the UN's efforts and warned against unilateral and uncoordinated initiatives, which he said could harm the political process. 'We agreed on the need to make every possible effort to preserve the ceasefire and prevent any slide back into violence,' Orlando added, underlining the EU's firm commitment to accountability in response to any threats to Libya's security and stability. Tags: EU Mission in Libya UNSMIL
Libya Observer
10 hours ago
- Libya Observer
Dbeibah unveils three-track plan to break political deadlock
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has announced a new initiative aimed at ending the country's protracted political crisis, pledging a sweeping restructuring of the government, improved election security, and stronger enforcement of state authority. Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Tripoli on Tuesday, Dbeibah outlined a three-track plan which he says will offer a way out of the current deadlock. The first component involves overhauling the government based on merit rather than political quotas or external influence. The second track centres on launching what he described as a 'national inquiry project,' intended to reflect the will of the Libyan people. The final track proposes a clear mechanism to secure future elections and eliminate the need for a rival government. In his address, Dbeibah also confirmed that a recent security operation against an armed group had been successful and carried out with minimal casualties. He described it as a 'decisive step' toward reasserting state control over Tripoli. 'No group will be allowed to carry out arrests or operate prisons outside the law,' he said. 'Only legitimate security institutions are authorised to maintain public order.' The prime minister warned against those attempting to act above the law, stating: 'Anyone who believes they are above the state will be met by an army and police force that answers only to legal authority.' He criticised what he called the 'double standards' of certain political elites, suggesting that individuals who once supported attacks on Tripoli are now opposing the government's own security forces. Dbeibah said he had received broad international support for his government's efforts, which he stressed are about upholding the rule of law—not a power struggle. He also noted that recent peaceful demonstrations in the capital had been fully protected without any arrests or violations.
Libya Observer
21 hours ago
- Libya Observer
Tetteh discusses political stability in Libya with Haftar
Khalifa Haftar told the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Hanna Tetteh, that he supports all initiatives that could open the door to a political solution in Libya, end the phase of division, and push the political process forward. Haftar received Tetteh and her accompanying delegation— which included her Deputy for Political Affairs, Stephanie Khoury, and several mission officials—at his office in the headquarters of his forces in Al-Rajma area of Benghazi on Tuesday. According to Haftar's media office on Facebook, the meeting discussed the latest developments in Libya's political crisis and reviewed the outcomes of the work of the advisory committee, which has submitted proposals and recommendations on several issues related to holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. The office added that Haftar reaffirmed to the UN official his full support for all efforts aimed at creating the appropriate conditions for holding elections, in line with the Libyan people's aspirations for lasting stability. Meanwhile, Tetteh reiterated UNSMIL's commitment to continuing its work with all Libyan parties to achieve national consensus that would lead to a comprehensive solution. The meeting comes as part of the broader consultation process launched by the UN mission with various parties to gather input on the proposals developed by the advisory committee concerning unresolved disputes in the electoral framework and political process.
