One in five migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean from Libya in September died or disappeared
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One in five migrants died or disappeared trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya in September, the highest proportion of deaths recorded on the crossing, according to new figures.
The figures draw attention to the plight of refugees and migrants in Libya, coming after a month of heavy fighting in Tripoli affected thousands locked up in detention centres.
Just over a week ago the last private rescue ship operating in the central Mediterranean, the Aquarius, had its registration revoked, putting its future operations at risk.
In a statement Médecins Sans Frontières, one of two NGOs that operates the vessel, said “this decision condemns hundreds of men, women, and children to death”. The Italian government denied putting pressure on the Panama Maritime Authority to deflag the vessel.
The latest figures were collected by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, which is awaiting confirmation by official sources and documents. Its research showed seven out of 10 migrants and refugees are intercepted and brought back to Libya by the EU-backed Libyan coastguard, while only one in 10 makes it to Europe.
