Nine bodies of migrants recovered off eastern Tripoli, Red Crescent says

Nine bodies of migrants have been recovered in the ​past two days from the ‌shores of an eastern suburb of the ​Libyan capital Tripoli after ⁠their boat capsized, the Tripoli Red Crescent branch said.

The Red Crescent branch stated ‌in an official note late on Monday (August 17, 2026) that the bodies were recovered ‌from Tajoura, some 22 ‌km (14 miles) ⁠from Tripoli.

More bodies are likely ⁠to wash ashore as the boat was carrying concerning 19 people, according to local ​authorities in Tajoura, Tripoli ‌Red Crescent media officer Muad Zurgani informed Reuters by phone.

“The search and recovery operations are still ongoing ‌in coordination with the relevant authorities, ​under field conditions that require continuous effort and an urgent humanitarian ⁠response,” the Tripoli Red Crescent said.

Pictures posted by the aid organisation ‌demonstrated their volunteers, together with security forces, carrying bodies in white plastic bags on the beach. While seven others ​were found dead.

Libya has become a transit route for migrants ⁠fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe via ⁠dangerous routes throughout the desert and over the Mediterranean since ‌the toppling of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising ​in 2011.

, the charity rescue ship, EMERGENCY, rescued 50 migrants from a wooden boat in international waters ‌off Libya on Monday (August 17, 2026).