The bodies of six migrants have been recovered near Misrata, Libya, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by those attempting to reach Europe via the central Mediterranean route. Authorities continue to search the coastline in case more bodies wash ashore in the coming days, said the Red Crescent organization.
The bodies of at least six migrants have been discovered along the coast near the Libyan city of Misrata, according to a local volunteer with the Red Crescent humanitarian organization.
Rescue teams recovered four bodies on Thursday morning (May 1), followed by two more later in the evening, said Makhlouf Karim, head of the rescue operations for the Misrata branch of the Red Crescent, reported the news agency Reuters.
Authorities continue to patrol the coastline in search of more possible bodies.
Libya – a major irregular migration corridor
Libya has become a major corridor for migrants attempting the perilous journey to Europe, particularly since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the fall of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi. With state institutions weakened and borders loosely controlled, the country has seen an increase in human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and irregular migration.
Misrata, located around 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, is a frequent departure point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, often in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.
Earlier this year, Libyan authorities discovered mass graves containing dozens of bodies in the southeastern region, underscoring the continued human toll of migration and instability in the country. Nineteen bodies were discovered in Jakharrah, located about 400 kilometers south of the coastal city of Benghazi, while at least 30 more were found in a mass grave in the Alkufra desert in the southeast. It was believed that the second grave might contain as many as 70 bodies. Both graves were uncovered after a police raid on a suspected human trafficking site, during which hundreds of migrants were rescued from traffickers.
Thousands of migrants perish on central Mediterranean route
Between April 20 and 26, 2025, at least 607 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This brings the total number of intercepted migrants so far this year to 7,227, a figure that remains lower than the 21,762 recorded in 2024 and 17,190 in 2023.
On the central Mediterranean route, 127 migrants have died and 180 remain missing, with the majority —6,165— being men, alongside 701 women and 256 children.
Despite the persistent risks, Libya continues to draw migrants hoping to find work or transit onward toward Europe.