90 migrants, majorly Pakistanis, feared drowned off Libyan coast
An estimated 90 migrants are feared to have drowned off the coast of Libya after a smuggler’s boat capsized early on Friday. 10 bodies have been washed up on shore, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said.
As per the information by the survivors, most of the migrants on board were Pakistanis, who form a growing group heading to Italy from North Africa, IOM spokeswoman Olivia Headon, speaking from Tunis, told a Geneva news briefing.
“They have given an estimate of 90 who drowned during the capsize, but we still have to verify the exact number of people who lost their lives during the tragedy,” she said.
Earlier security officials in the western Libyan town of Zuwara said two Libyans and one Pakistani had been rescued from the boat.
Libya is the main gateway for migrants trying to cross to Europe by sea, though numbers have dropped sharply since July as Libyan factions and authorities - under pressure from Italy and the European Union - have begun to block departures. -PTC News
