LIBYA: COASTGUARD RESCUED 278 EUROPE-BOUND MIGRANTS
July 27, 2017
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Libya’s coastguard in two separate operations on Monday rescued at least 278 migrants as they tried to reach Europe, naval officials said.
In one operation, 150 migrants, mostly Africans, ran into trouble when their inflatable boat broke down and began sinking off the coast of Sabrata, 70 kilometers west of Tripoli, Navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem said. Those aboard included two women and four children, he said.
A rescue mission was launched after a Tripoli coastguard patrol was informed of the boat’s plight, patrol commander Colonel Abu Ajela told AFP. A witness said people traffickers had taken the migrants out to sea and left them there after removing the engine on the inflatable boat and replacing it with another that quickly broke down.
The migrants were brought ashore to a naval base in Tripoli where authorities gave them food, water and medical assistance before handing them over to a detention center.