Libya coastguards rescue over 200 illegal immigrants off western coast

BY Libyan Express Apr 18, 2018 - 10:15 Updated: Apr 18, 2018 - 12:17

Libya rescues over 200 immigrants off western coast (Photo: Libyan Coast Guard)

Libyan coast guard rescued on Tuesday more than 200 illegal immigrants on two rubber boats off western coast, according to a local official.

“The department has received 204 illegal immigrants of nine African nationalities, including 71 women and 10 children, after they were rescued by a coast guard patrol and taken to Tripoli naval base,” Husni Abu-Ayana, media officer of Tripoli’s anti-illegal immigration department, told Xinhua.

The migrants were housed inside the department’s headquarters in Tripoli, Abu-Ayana said, noting that they were provided with first aid and accommodation services by the International Medical Corps.

Improved weather conditions have increased the flow of migrant boats from Libya towards Europe, particularly off the country’s western coast.

According to official figures, the number of migrants rescued off Libyan coasts during the first quarter of 2018 is more than 4,000.

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