At least 53 migrants have died or remain missing after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea.

A vessel carrying around 60 people on board overturned off Libya’s coast as it attempted to reach Europe. Only two people were rescued, while dozens remain missing. According to the survivors, the boat—carrying African nationals—departed from Al-Zawiya at around 11 p.m. a few days earlier. Approximately six hours into the journey, after taking on water, it capsized. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Libya’s coastline remains one of the main departure points for migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe. Human traffickers frequently use small, unseaworthy boats that are not designed for open-sea crossings.

According to international organisations, the central Mediterranean is one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Since the beginning of this year, hundreds of people have died attempting the crossing, often in severe weather conditions. Between early 2014 and the end of 2025, more than 33,000 people lost their lives along this route.