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Tripoli: A batch of 246 illegal migrants from Libya were rescued off the coast and returned to their home land last week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.
The aspirant migants were intercepted at sea, during the week of April 24-30, Xinhua news agency quoted the IOM as saying in a statement.
So far this year, 4,461 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya; this includes 410 women and 175 minors, IOM said.
Meanwhile, 114 illegal migrants have died and 436 others have gone missing on the Central Mediterranean route, it added.
Illegal migrants using packed boats and trying to reach the coast of Europe for better lives in the continent have been a common feature for the past several years. Many of them either meet with tragic deaths or are caught and sent back home. Countries including Italy and Spain have been adopting a policy of not entertaining such groups.
In 2021, a total of 32,425 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 662 died and 891 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, IOM revealed.
Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.