In the ongoing refugee crisis, 239 drown off the coast of Libya

Published November 4th, 2016 - 08:00 GMT
More than 100,000 people have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Greece and other European states so far this year, according to the UN refugee agency. (AFP/Argiris Mantikos)
More than 100,000 people have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Greece and other European states so far this year, according to the UN refugee agency. (AFP/Argiris Mantikos)

At least 239 refugees drowned after two ships sank off the Libyan coast, Joel Millman, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

The two vessels had reportedly been carrying hundreds of refugees when they both capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while en route from Libya to Italy.

According to Millman, some 4,220 refugees bound for Europe have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea since the current refugee crisis began.

by Ahmet Sait Akcay