A migrant boat capsized off the Libyan coast in the Mediterranean, leaving 53 people dead or missing, including two babies, according to the IOM.

The IOM called for stronger international cooperation to dismantle trafficking networks and for safe, regular migration pathways to reduce risk and save lives.

the incident occurred north of Zuwara in the Mediterranean, with two Nigerian women among the survivors.

EU officials urged intensified joint efforts with Libya to prevent perilous journeys and to combat human-smuggling networks, while supporting search-and-rescue, protection, and voluntary return programs.

The EU reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation with Libya on migration management, including rescue operations, protection, voluntary return, and addressing root causes with safer legal pathways.

Libya remains a major transit country for migrants fleeing war and poverty from Africa and the Middle East, with smugglers benefiting from instability since the 2011 fall of Gaddafi.

Rights groups and several countries have raised concerns about detention centers and human-rights abuses as sub-Saharan Africans seek Europe via Libya.

Libya’s ongoing instability since 2011 has fueled human trafficking and abuses against migrants, underscoring the need for international cooperation.

The Greek coast guard reported the speedboat had no navigation lights, did not stop when signaled, and collided with a patrol boat, causing the capsizing and injuries.

The Central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy remains the focal point, but IOM and UN agencies warn of dangers on other routes as well, including Canary Islands, Spain, and Turkey-to-Greece crossings.

The Libya tragedy follows another incident near Chios, where 15 migrants died in a collision between a coast guard vessel and a speedboat, with dozens of migrants and children hospitalized.

The incident highlights the perilous conditions of sea crossings and that authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances of the capsize.