A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday off the coast of Sorman in north-west Libya, where 18 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank just hours into the journey. The boat, which was carrying around 130 people, had departed early in the morning from the city of Al-Zawiya. The group included men, women, and children from Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan who were attempting to reach Europe by sea.
Reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed that rough and dangerous waves caused the boat to capsize shortly after departure. Rescue teams were able to save 64 survivors from the water. The rescued migrants included people from Sudan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Somalia. Many of them were exhausted, cold, and in shock from the incident.
The nationalities of the 18 people who died have not yet been confirmed. Search efforts are still ongoing, as some individuals may still be missing. Those who survived are now receiving medical support and basic assistance while authorities document their cases and conditions.
This tragedy highlights the increasing risks migrants face when attempting to cross the central Mediterranean route. Many migrants choose this journey because they are escaping conflict, poverty, or political instability in their home countries. However, the waters between Libya and Europe remain one of the deadliest migration paths in the world.
Why is the central Mediterranean route considered so dangerous?
The route is known for overcrowded and unstable boats, unpredictable weather, limited rescue resources, and the involvement of human smuggling networks. These factors make sea crossings extremely risky, leading to frequent shipwrecks and high loss of life.
According to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, over 1,046 people have died or gone missing on migration journeys across the Mediterranean since the beginning of 2025. More than half of those deaths happened off the Libyan coast, where many boats depart in unsafe conditions.
The loss of life in this latest sinking adds to the growing humanitarian crisis in the region. Many human rights organizations continue to call for safer migration pathways, stronger international rescue missions, and more support for migrants who find themselves stranded in Libya.