Officials from the Libyan Red Crescent have reported that at least 74 bodies have washed up on the West Libyan shores—a popular, dangerous route for people to be trafficked to Europe.
The International Organization of Migration said the boat’s engine was taken by the traffickers with the boat left to drift to its destination. The one survivor was taken to the hospital and is comatose.
[twitter][/twitter]#Libya: Tragedy again today as #RedCrescent recover bodies of 74 people from a boat washed ashore near #Zawiya#StopIndifference #migration pic.twitter.com/YarPI5mYEG
— IFRC Middle East and North Africa (@IFRC_MENA) February 20, 2017
A spokesman told the Associated Press he was afraid more bodies would wash up as time progressed. A rubber boat also washed up nearby, torn.
City officials have said more bodies are out further in the water, but they don’t have the resources to get them.
Earlier this weekend, 500 people were rescued about 7 miles off the coast of Libya.
According to the AP, Libya’s government is ran by local militia groups, and they profit from the trafficking. The EU is trying to work with the Libyan coast guard, as well as neighboring countries Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt to train and end the trafficking and dangerous journeys, but critics of the plan say that the plan discounts how dangerous it is to remain in Libya for some people.