Forty-two people are missing and presumed dead after a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants and refugees capsized off Libya.
According to a statement by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the vessel departed from Zuwara, west of Tripoli, on November 3 at around 3am. Six hours later, high waves caused the engine to fail, capsizing the boat near Al Buri Oil Field and throwing all passengers overboard.
On Saturday, the Libyan authorities carried out a search and rescue operation near Al Buri oil field.
“After drifting at sea for six days, only seven men; four from Sudan, two from Nigeria, and one from Cameroon were rescued,” the IOM said.
“Tragically, 42 individuals remain missing and are presumed dead, including 29 from Sudan, eight from Somalia, three from Cameroon, and two from Nigeria.”
IOM staff gave the survivors emergency medical care, food and water once they were brought ashore.