Rescue Charity: 11 Bodies Found as Death Toll Raises at the Libyan Coast

Benghazi, Libya — Another body was spotted off the coast of Libya on Saturday, just a day after a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) rescue ship recovered the bodies of 11 migrants in the same area of the Mediterranean Sea. The MSF vessel also rescued more than 160 people from perilous boat journeys.

Sea Watch, a non-profit organization, reported on the social media platform X that its reconnaissance plane had sighted the corpse. "Yesterday our aircraft crew sighted 11 bodies, and so far one more has been discovered on today's flight. The flight and the search continue," stated the Germany-based group.

The United Nations has documented over 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean since 2014, labeling it the most dangerous migrant crossing globally.

MSF's Geo Barents search and rescue vessel conducted two operations, rescuing 146 migrants, and later found another 20 in a separate boat. Additionally, they retrieved the bodies of the 11 people initially seen by the Sea Watch plane.

"We do not know the precise cause of this tragedy, but we know that people continue to die in a desperate attempt to reach safety. This slaughter must end," MSF said on X. According to Italian media, the 11 bodies are to be transferred to an Italian coast guard ship and temporarily disembarked on the island of Lampedusa.

Italy has called on Tunisia and Libya to take more decisive action to prevent migrants from attempting the dangerous sea journey. At the same time, Italy has increased restrictions on rescue ship operations, arguing that these missions encourage more people to attempt to reach Europe—a claim the charities firmly deny.

In a move highlighting these restrictions, Italy on Friday directed the Geo Barents to transport its latest group of migrants to the northern port of Genova, more than 650 nautical miles away, rather than closer ports in Sicily.

"This will significantly delay assistance for the survivors who have already endured a lot," MSF remarked, emphasizing the prolonged hardship this directive imposes on the rescued individuals.

The ongoing migrant crisis in the Mediterranean remains a profound humanitarian challenge, with rescue organizations continuing their efforts amid increasing obstacles and calls for more comprehensive international cooperation to address the root causes of migration and enhance safety for those seeking refuge.