Eight bodies found in Libya, Greece as toll in the Mediterranean rises | Refugees News
Asylum Seekers Found Dead in Libya and Greece
TRIPOLI, Libya — Authorities in Libya recovered the bodies of five asylum seekers near the capital, Tripoli, on Saturday. This incident comes as Greek officials report the deaths of three more individuals in a separate drowning off the coast of Crete.
Residents of Qasr al-Akhyar discovered the bodies on the beach, and local police confirmed the recovery. Hassan Al-Ghawil, head of investigations at the Qasr al-Akhyar police station, stated that the deceased included two women and all were of dark skin. Reports also mentioned the sighting of a child’s body that was later pulled back into the sea.
“We reported to the Red Crescent to recover the bodies,” Al-Ghawil said. “The bodies we found are still intact, and we think there are more bodies to wash ashore.”
This tragedy follows a recent incident where the International Organization for Migration reported that at least 53 migrants, including two infants, were dead or missing after a rubber boat capsized off Zuwara, a town in western Tripoli.
In a parallel situation, Greek authorities announced the recovery of three bodies and the rescue of at least 20 survivors from a capsized wooden boat near Crete. The Athens News Agency reported that most of the survivors are Egyptian and Sudanese, including four minors. A rescue operation was complicated when passengers attempted to climb ladders during a rescue by a commercial ship, causing the boat to capsize.
The Greek coastguard confirmed ongoing search efforts, with multiple vessels and aircraft deployed to locate any additional survivors. Reports suggest that approximately 50 individuals were aboard the wooden boat, while another vessel carrying around 40 migrants was spotted in the vicinity, prompting another rescue operation.
The perilous journey across the Mediterranean continues to claim lives, as thousands attempt to reach Europe from Libya, a country that has become a primary transit route for those fleeing conflict and poverty since the fall of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
A recent report from the United Nations highlighted grave concerns for migrants in Libya, particularly young girls, who face risks of violence and exploitation. The report called for a moratorium on the return of migrant boats to Libya until human rights protections are assured.
Many migrants aim for Crete, seen as a gateway to the European Union. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 16,770 asylum seekers arrived in Crete in 2025. In response to rising numbers, the Greek government temporarily suspended the processing of asylum applications for three months last summer, especially for those arriving from Libya. The UNHCR noted that 107 individuals perished or went missing in Greek waters in 2025.
