At least 53 migrants are believed to have died after a small boat capsized off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The tragedy happened over the weekend and is one of the deadliest incidents reported so far this year on the Central Mediterranean migration route.
The rubber boat was carrying 55 people when it overturned in the Mediterranean Sea just north of Zuwara in northwest Libya. The incident took place shortly before midnight between February 5 and February 6. Only two people are believed to have survived the disaster.
The two survivors are Nigerian women who were rescued by Libyan authorities during a search and rescue operation. One of the women said she lost both of her babies in the sinking, while the other reported that her husband also died in the tragedy. Their testimonies show the deep human loss behind the numbers.
According to the survivors, the boat had left from the coastal town of Zawiya, around 60 kilometers from where the accident happened. They said the boat began taking on water about six hours after departure, which eventually caused it to capsize. The passengers were said to be from several African countries.
IOM confirmed that its teams provided emergency medical care to the two women after they were rescued. The organization also expressed sorrow over the growing number of lives lost along this dangerous migration route.
The Central Mediterranean route, which often runs from Libya or Tunisia toward Italy, has already been extremely deadly in the first weeks of 2026. IOM data shows that at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing in January alone. With this latest incident, the total number of reported deaths and disappearances on this route has reached at least 484 this year.
IOM warned that the real number could be even higher. Many shipwrecks go unrecorded because the boats leave without being noticed. The organization also said that bad weather linked to Cyclone Harry may have contributed to the unusually high number of deaths in recent weeks.
The figures suggest a sharp rise compared to last year. More than 1,300 migrants were reported missing across the entire Mediterranean in 2025. In just the first five weeks of 2026, the death toll has already reached more than one-third of last year’s total.
IOM said smuggling and trafficking networks continue to profit from these dangerous journeys, often using unsafe and overcrowded boats. The agency also stressed that migrants in Libya face serious risks, including violence, abuse, and exploitation, even before they attempt the sea crossing.