The survivors explained that the vessel had been carrying migrants and refugees from several African countries. At least 375 people have been reported dead or missing in January alone in the central Mediterranean, according to IOM, missing migrants database. The UN agency warned that this is just the latest shipwreck to have happened amid severe winter weather, with many more tragedies feared unrecorded. So far this year, 781 migrants have been “intercepted and returned” to Libya, the UN agency said, with 244 taken back just last week. "Initial information suggests that the migrants had been held for a prolonged period in grossly inhumane conditions," IOM said.

Source: Libya Today February 09, 2026 18:31 UTC