74 migrants found dead on Libyan beach after boat left to drift

The bodies of at least 74 African migrants have washed ashore in western Libya, humanitarian officials said, in the latest tragedy at sea along a perilous trafficking route to Europe.

The bodies were found near the city of Zawiya on Monday, a spokesman from aid group Libyan Red Crescent said, adding that he feared more might surface.

He said a torn rubber boat, which usually carries up to 120 people, was found nearby.

The Red Crescent’s branch in Zawiya said there are bodies still floating out at sea but it hasnomeanstoretrievethem.

The International Organisation of Migration said traffickers took the engine and left the boat to drift.

Twelve migrants remain missing and are presumed drowned, and a sole survivor was taken to hospital in a coma, the UN said.

The Red Crescent posted photographs of dozens of bodies in black and white bags, lined up along the shore.

The Red Crescent spokesman said the bodies would be taken to a cemetery for unidentified people in the capital, Tripoli. The group appealed for help on Facebook, saying there are no vehicles to transport the bodies.

A Libyan coastguard spokesman said more than 500 migrants were rescued at sea on Friday and Saturday off the coast of Sebratha, a city west of Zawiya. The migrants’ boats were about five to seven miles from the coast.

He said the smugglers pack larger rubber boats with up to 180 people, dramatically increasing the risk of capsizing.

“We are seeing the new boats, which are not equipped with anything, but they carry more people. This is going to be even more disastrous for the migrants.”

The Libya to Italy smuggling route across the Mediterranean saw record numbers of migrant drownings last year, Fabrice Leggeri, director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, said last week.

Some 4,579 migrant deaths were documented, up from 2,869 the previous year and 3,161 in 2014. The real number is believed to be higher.

Mr Leggeri blamed the poor vessels used by the smugglers for the high death rate.

The smugglers also appear willing to brave the choppy winter sea.

January alone saw 228 recorded deaths, by far the biggest monthly toll in recent years.

The International Organisation for Migration said the latest tragedy brings the 2017 total to 365. More than 180,000 people made the crossing last year.

Libya has emerged as a popular, if dangerous, route to Europe for those fleeing poverty and civil war in Africa.