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Refugee crisis: 85 dead and decomposed migrants found washed up in Libya

Refugee crisis: 85 dead and decomposed migrants found washed up in Libya

By :  DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-10-06 06:17 GMT
The bodies of 85 migrants have been found washed up on the coast of Libya, a major departure point for the sea crossing to Europe, the Red Crescent said Monday.
The International Organization for Migration says that more than 2,600 migrants have died in 2015 so far on the Central Mediterranean route that includes Libya.
Thousands of migrants seeking a better life in Europe cast off from Libya on rickety boats, hoping to reach Italy.
A spokesman for the Libyan Red Crescent said the bodies of at least 95 migrants have been found washed ashore since the end September.
In this Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 photo, Red Crescent workers recover a body that washed ashore, east of Tripoli, Libya.
The Libyan coastguard said it had also rescued 212 migrants from two overloaded rubber dinghies off the Libyan coast.
Since Tuesday, volunteers have recovered dozens of bodies of migrants in an advanced stage of decomposition on beaches near the capital, spokesman Mohamed al-Misrati said.
About 515,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean this year alone, with up to 3,000 people dead or reported missing in that period, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees.
In exchange for steep fees, they take would-be migrants on board rickety boats for the treacherous crossing.
People smugglers have taken advantage of chaos in Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi to step up their lucrative business.
Most head for Italy’s Lampedusa island which is 300 kilometres from Libya.
Libya, with a coastline of 1,770 kilometres, has for years been a stepping stone for Africans bound for Europe.
He said that 22 women were among the rescued migrants, who were of different nationalities including many Senegalese and Sudanese.
“We were informed of the presence of two large zodiacs off the coast of Garabulli” 60 kilometres east of Tripoli, a coastguard officer said.
The Libyan coastguard said it had also rescued 212 migrants from two overloaded rubber dinghies off the Libyan coast.
They found 75 bodies around Tripoli and another 10 in Sabratah, 70 kilometres (43 miles) to the west, he said.
Since Tuesday, volunteers have recovered dozens of bodies of migrants in an advanced stage of decomposition on beaches near the capital, spokesman Mohamed al-Misrati said.
Refugee crisis: 85 dead and decomposed migrants found washed up in Libya

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