5,000 Refugees Rescued on Route to Italy from Libya

Migrants told of arbitrary detention, slavery and beatings in Libya. PHOTO: Kenny Karpov/SOS Mediteranee/Reuters

Libyan and Italian coastguards pick thousands of people from dozens of boats in the Mediterranean in 48 hours.

20 May 2017

AL JAZEERA  — About 5,000 refugees bound for Italy were rescued in waters off the coast of Libya between Thursday and Saturday morning by Italian and Libyan coastguards, according to statements from both countries.

About 2,900 people were rescued on Thursday, 2,300 of whom were found in international waters and taken to Italy, while 580 picked up in Libyan waters were returned to the north African country.

Through Friday until Saturday morning, coastguards rescued another 2,100 refugees packed in 17 vessels, but found the body of one man who drowned, the Italian coastguard said. […]

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