In a statement made by the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), it has been reported that about 90 people of Pakistani majority, have drowned after a boat capsized off the cost Libya.

IOM’s Flavio Di Giacomo reported the migrants left Zuwara, Libya, on Saturday at around midnight, on a dinghy carrying about 130–135 people. On Sunday morning, their boat started to take on water. The ship Aquarius arrived in time to save 96 people, as well as to recover the remains of two passengers, both mothers who left children among the survivors.

Two survivors are reported to have swam to shore, while another was rescued by a fishing boat, said Olivia Headon, IOM Libya's spokesperson.

These casualties bring to 246 the total number of fatalities on the Mediterranean Sea through the first month of 2018. That compares with 254 at this time in 2017.

ILKHA