ISLAMABAD: A boat capsized off the coast of the Libyan city of Sirte, killing 18 people and rescuing 90 others, including 12 Pakistanis.
The incident occurred hours after the wooden boat set off in rough seas, causing it to sink.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the boat carrying migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea capsized.
The survivors included 29 Sudanese men, one Sudanese woman, one child, 18 Bangladeshi men and three Somalis. The IOM described the tragedy as another serious incident on what is considered “the most dangerous route in the Mediterranean”.
The latest incident adds to the growing death toll of migrants trying to reach Europe from North Africa.
According to the IOM, 1,046 people have died or gone missing on the route alone this year, with 527 of those deaths occurring off the coast of Libya.
Just last week, 40 African migrants lost their lives in a similar incident off Tunisia.
IOM officials said they were working with local authorities to provide medical assistance and essential services to those rescued. The organization also urged the international community to take urgent action to prevent further humanitarian tragedies in the Mediterranean.