(MENAFN) 865 illicit immigrants were saved off the Libyan coast and sent back to Libya in 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated on Monday, Sep. 27.
The IOM noted: "In the period of 19-25 September, 865 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya."
The IOM said that thus far in 2021, an overall of 25,285 illicit migrants, comprising women and children, have been save, whereas 455 lost their lives and 660 went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route.
The country has been undergoing insecurity and disorder since the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, turning Libya into a favored point of departure for illicit immigrants who want to traverse the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.
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