Boat carrying 170 illegal African migrants on route Europe sinks in Libya

Reports have it that a wooden boat with at least 170 illegal African migrants on board headed for Europe has sunk off the Libyan coast earlier today, Saturday, August 23. Although AP reports that those on board could just be up to 250.

The tragedy occurred near al-Qarbole, east of Tripoli, a common point used by human traffickers smuggling people to Europe

A Libyan Navy spokesman, Ayoub Qassem, said: "The coast guards have rescued 17 of the illegal migrants," He added that a search for the rest of the passengers had commenced.

The Associated Press, quoting  Abdel-Latif Mohammed of the Libyan coast guard, said there could be as many as 250 people could be on the boat.

AFP reports that several drowned bodies recovered included an 18-month old baby. Death toll has not been released.

It has been the practice of migrants for years to leave North Africa in rickety boats.

Italy, which shoulders the responsibility of patrolling the Mediterranean Sea to help prevent major tragedies, said last week that the total number of migrants reaching its shores has passed 100,000.
Over 70,000 migrants have been rescued through Italy’s Mare Nostrum, or “Our Sea”, mission of patrols which began last October.