A harrowing shipwreck off the coast of Zuwara, Libya, has left 53 people dead or missing, including infants, according to a report released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on February 9, 2026.
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The journey began late on the night of February 5, when a fragile rubber vessel carrying 55 migrants departed from the town of Al-Zawiya. Approximately six hours into the crossing, the boat—overcrowded and structurally unsound—began taking on water and eventually capsized.
Survivors and Loss
Libyan authorities were able to rescue only two survivors, both Nigerian women. Their accounts paint a devastating picture of the incident:
- A Mother’s Grief: One survivor reported that both of her babies perished in the water.
- Separated Families: The second survivor confirmed her husband is among the missing and presumed dead.
A Growing Crisis
- Unsafe Vessels: Smugglers continue to use inflatable rubber boats that are entirely unfit for the open sea.
- Call for Reform: The IOM continues to urge the international community for a coordinated search-and-rescue mechanism and more legal, safe pathways for migration to prevent these recurring losses.
“The loss of children and families at sea is a stark reminder that the current approach to migration in the Mediterranean is failing to protect human life.”
