(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) GENEVA, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday said it was "deeply saddened" by the tragic incident off the coast of (Surman) Libya earlier today, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
In a statement, the Geneva-based IOM said that a wooden vessel that departed from (Al Zawiya) capsized only a few hours into its journey due to high waves. A total of 64 people were rescued and brought safely to shore.
IOM reported that among the survivors are 29 Sudanese men, a woman and child, in addition to 18 Bangladeshi men, 12 Pakistani men and three Somali men. Information on the nationalities of the deceased is not available at this stage.
According to the statement, the Central Mediterranean route remains one of the world's deadliest migration corridors, with 1,046 deaths and disappearances recorded by IOM's Missing Migrants Project since the beginning of 2025, 527 of which occurred off the coast of Libya.
IOM reiterated its call to strengthen regional cooperation, expand safe and regular migration pathways and guarantee timely and coordinated search and rescue operations that save lives. (end)
imk

MENAFN28102025000071011013ID1110261061