Libya: 53 Migrants Dead or Missing After Boat Capsizes

At least 53 migrants, including two babies, are dead or missing after a rubber dinghy capsized off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The tragic incident occurred on February 6, north of Zuara. The boat, carrying 55 people, capsized, leading to the death or disappearance of dozens of migrants.

Only two Nigerian women were rescued by the Libyan authorities. One of the survivors reported losing her husband, while the other lost her two babies.

According to survivor testimonies, the boat departed from al-Zawiya on February 5 and capsized approximately six hours later due to water ingress.

In 2025, more than 1,300 migrants were missing in the central Mediterranean, according to the IOM's Missing Migrants Program. The recent shipwreck brings the number of dead or missing to 484 for 2026.