Mass Grave Holding At Least 65 Irregular Migrants Uncovered in Libya

No fewer than 65 remains of irregular migrants were uncovered in a mass grave discovered in Libya. The Criminal Investigations Department of Libya’s Interior Ministry in a statement disclosed that the grave was found in the Shuwairif region, southeast of the capital Tripoli.

According to the statement, DNA samples were collected from the bodies of the unidentified migrants for further procedures, and the bodies were laid to rest in a cemetery designated by the prosecutor’s office responsible for the Shuwairif region. The Libyan authorities have commenced investigations into these deaths.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a statement issued on Friday, said specific details about the deceased, including their nationalities and the circumstances of their deaths remain unknown, suggesting that they perished during attempts to be smuggled through the desert.

The IOM while noting the plight of migrants intercepted and returned to Libya, recounted the abuse they endure in government-run detention centers and called for the urgent need to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.

Since the demise of former ruler Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has been plagued by political instability, which has been ruthlessly exploited by human trafficking groups.

This exploitation has transformed the nation into the most dangerous route globally for migrants seeking refuge in Europe, where they often encounter appalling conditions and exploitation.