9,000 irregular migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya since the beginning of the year

The International Organization for Migration confirmed that the Libyan Coast Guard has intercepted nearly 9,000 irregular migrants since the beginning of this year and returned them to Libya.

The organization said that among these migrants, there are more than 500 women and 290 children.

The organization explained that it recorded more than 350 deaths, in addition to more than 500 missing people in the Mediterranean during the same period.

The organization indicated that the total number of migrants intercepted and returned to Libya in 2023 exceeded 17,000 migrants.

Libya, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, is a crossing point for many irregular migrants to Europe, while thousands of them are languishing in Libyan prisons.

Human rights organizations demand Malta to cease returning migrants