The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported the deaths of 13 immigrants attempting to cross from Libya to Europe in small boats, adding in its weekly update on Facebook that 14 more migrants are missing following search and rescue operations.
IOM said that 790 immigrants were intercepted in the Mediterranean and returned to Libya during the same period, adding that these individuals had departed from the coasts of Tripoli, Al-Zawiya, and Sabratha.
"Among the intercepted immigrants were 40 children, 657 men, and 93 women, who were subsequently transferred to detention centers in Tripoli," IOM added.
According to IOM data, since the beginning of January until February 8, at least 62 immigrants have died in the Mediterranean, while 2,633 men, 393 women, and 162 children have been intercepted and returned to Libya.
