---
title: "At least 73 migrants presumed dead after shipwreck off Libya"
description: "DUBAI, Feb 15 (Reuters) - At least 73 migrants were reported missing and presumed dead following a shipwreck off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, the official Twitter account of International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said on Wednesday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "MIGRANCY"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-15-at-least-73-migrants-presumed-dead-after-shipwreck-off-libya/"
published: "2023-02-15T13:50:25"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 97
---

# At least 73 migrants presumed dead after shipwreck off Libya

> DUBAI, Feb 15 (Reuters) - At least 73 migrants were reported missing and presumed dead following a shipwreck off the Libyan coast on Tuesday, the official Twitter account of International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said on Wednesday.

By Reuters · Published 15 February 2023, 15:50 SAST

## Key points
- At least 11 people have died after a boat carrying 80 migrants attempting to reach Europe from Libya capsized off the coast of Tripoli. Seven survivors were rescued and brought to a hospital, while the Libyan Red Crescent and local police retrieved the bodies of those who passed away. This tragedy underscores the increasing number of migrants using Libya as a base for their dangerous journey across the desert and sea in search of a better life in Europe.
- Seven survivors and 11 bodies have been retrieved from a boat carrying 80 people, who had reportedly departed from Qasr Alkayar in Libya.
- The seven survivors are in hospital and the Libyan Red Crescent and local police have recovered 11 bodies.
- Libya has become a major launching point for migrants seeking to reach Europe via a dangerous route across the desert and over the Mediterranean.
- The IOM reported on the incident, which was further reported by Yomna Ehab, Nayera Abdallah, Alison Williams and Barbara Lewis.

## Content

Seven survivors made it to shore from the boat, which was carrying around 80 people, who had reportedly departed from Qasr Alkayar, east of Tripoli, to head to Europe, the IOM added.

So far, 11 bodies have been retrieved by the Libyan red Crescent and the local police, while the seven survivors are in hospital, the IOM said.

Libya has become a major launching point for migrants seeking to reach Europe via a dangerous route across the desert and over the Mediterranean.

(Reporting by Yomna Ehab; Writing by Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Alison Williams and Barbara Lewis)