More than 100 illegal migrants died on Thursday when their boat capsized off Zuwara coast.

Reports from the city say the EU-bound boat was overloaded with around 500 illegal migrants of Syrian and African nationalities.  

Around 100 bodies, including children, have washed up on the shores while many others are still missing. Security sources said more than 200 have been rescued by the Coast Guard.

Following the tragedy, Zuwara residents went to the streets of the city to protest the killing of innocents by human smugglers. The protesters called on local authorities to take action and crack down on the smugglers who are exploiting migrants for their benefits.

Zuwara, a city some 120 km to the west of Tripoli, is well known as a hub for human smugglers.