Scores of Sudanese Refugees Dead or Missing in Libya Boat Disasters

Scores of Sudanese refugees are reported dead or missing following two separate boat disasters off the coast of Libya last weekend, UN agencies said on Wednesday.

The first incident occurred on Saturday, when a boat capsized near the eastern port city of Tobruk, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The vessel was carrying 74 people, mostly Sudanese refugees, of whom only 13 survived, leaving dozens still missing.

The second disaster took place on Sunday, when a rubber boat carrying 75 Sudanese refugees caught fire en route to Greece, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported. At least 50 lives were lost, while 24 survivors received immediate lifesaving medical care from the IOM. Details of the ages or gender of those on board either vessel were not immediately released.

Libya remains a key transit country for thousands of migrants attempting the perilous journey to Europe by sea each year.

The war in Sudan, between the army and paramilitaries, has pushed over 140,000 refugees into Libya in the past two years, almost doubling the Sudanese refugee population in the country.

Migrants in Libya face near-slavery conditions, according to reports, while others risk the dangerous sea crossing to reach Europe. The IOM describes the central Mediterranean route as one of the deadliest migrant paths in the world. In 2024 alone, 2,573 people died attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean.

Libya continues to struggle with division and instability following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

• The country remains split between the UN-recognised government in the west and an eastern rival backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
• Smugglers and human traffickers exploit the political vacuum, committing widespread human rights abuses, including extortion and slavery, according to rights groups.

Key Facts at a Glance

These twin tragedies underscore the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and highlight the risks faced by refugees fleeing conflict and persecution in their home countries.