Tripoli, Jan 26 (IANS): The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that more than 450 illegal migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast in the past week.
"In the period of January 19 to 25, 452 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya," the IOM said in a statement issued on Monday.
The organization also said that 12 illegal migrants died and 67 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route so far this year, reports Xinhua news agency.
Thousands of illegal immigrants choose to cross the Mediterranean from Libya towards Europe, as the North African country has been mired in insecurity and turmoil since a NATO-backed uprising killed the country's long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
In 2020, 323 migrants died and 417 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route, while 11,891 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, according to the IOM.