Fifty-three migrants, including two babies, have died or are missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday.
The vessel, carrying African migrants and refugees, encountered difficulties north of Zuwara, Libya, on February 6.
Just two Nigerian women were rescued during a search-and-rescue mission conducted by Libyan authorities.
One of the survivors reported losing her husband, while the other said she had lost her two babies.
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The IOM confirmed the survivors were provided with emergency medical care upon disembarkation, in coordination with relevant authorities.
According to the two women, the boat set off from Al-Zawiya, Libya, at around 11pm on February 5.
Six hours later, the boat capsized.
The tragedy would mark the latest deadly crossing attempt in the central Mediterranean Sea.
Fifty-three migrants, including two babies, were dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organization for Migration said on Monday (file photo)
| GETTYAccording to the IOM, at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing in January alone as they attempted the treacherous journey.
Often, this can lead to "invisible" shipwrecks amid extreme weather, with hundreds more deaths believed to be unrecorded.
The latest incident raises this year's total figure to an estimated 484.
Additionally, more than 1,300 migrants went missing in the Central Mediterranean in 2025.
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The International Organization for Migration re-iterated their warning that 'trafficking and smuggling networks' are continuing to 'exploit' migrants along the Central Mediterranean route
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In December last year, more than 100 migrants were said to have died after a vessel left Libya on December 18, but sent out an SOS message shortly after.
It is thought to have been carrying 117 passengers.
Tunisian fishermen are believed to have picked up a single survivor on the evening of December 21.
Similarly, the boat is said to have encountered difficulties around Zuwara, Libya.
The IOM have re-iterated their warning that "trafficking and smuggling networks" are continuing to "exploit" migrants along the Central Mediterranean route, "profiting from dangerous crossings in unseaworthy boats while exposing people to severe abuse and protection risks."
The organisation added: "IOM stresses the need for stronger international cooperation and protection-centred responses to address smuggling and trafficking networks, alongside safe and regular migration pathways to reduce risks and save lives."
IOM’s Missing Migrants Project estimates that 33,441 migrants have been recorded missing in the Mediterranean since 2014.
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