Libyan coastguard intercepts 850 refugees at sea

Libyan coast guards intercepted about 850 refugees on Sunday off the coast near the western city of Sabratha, a spokesman said.

Ayoub Qassem said the refugees were from various African countries and among them were 79 women, including 11 who were pregnant, as well as 11 children. They were travelling in inflatable rubber boats, he said. Libya is a major departure point for mainly sub-Saharan African refugees trying to reach Europe through crossings arranged by people smugglers.

These refugees are often given flimsy boats that are ill-equipped for travelling across the Mediterranean. The flow of refugees has increased amid the turmoil that followed the 2011 uprising against long-time Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. More than 30,000 have already crossed on the central Mediterranean route to Italy in 2016, and more are expected to attempt the journey in calmer weather during the summer.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has identified 235,000 refugees in Libya, but says the real number is likely to be much higher, between 700,000 and one million. Some of these stay in Libya to work before either returning home or trying to continue on towards Europe.