30 African migrants dead, 500 rescued as EU-bound boats capsizes off Libya shores

At least 30 illegal African migrants have drowned when their boats capsized off the western shores of Libya.

According to Libya’s Coast Guard, Al-Zawia office, EU-bound three boats loaded with some 500 illegal migrants were intercepted and rescued off Mellitah coast on Saturday, March 19. Three other boats unfortunately sank, leaving about 30 migrants, including men and women, dead.

Four bodies have been recovered while the others are still missing. The Coast Guard said disclosed that the three rescued boats were set on fire after taking the migrants to safety.