The ongoing Libya migrant rescue crisis has once again exposed the dangers migrants face in their desperate journeys. Armed men aboard speedboats abducted women and children from a deflating dinghy carrying 112 migrants off Libya’s coast.
This alarming event unfolded on Thursday as the Geo Barents, a rescue ship from Doctors Without Borders (MSF), reached the scene to assist. MSF managed to rescue 83 men and unaccompanied minors, including 70 individuals who had jumped into the sea.
Armed Men Create Chaos During Rescue
The Libya migrant rescue crisis intensified when two speedboats, claiming to belong to the Libyan Coast Guard, arrived at the scene. Armed men on the boats fired shots into the air and water, forcing many male migrants to leap overboard. 
One speedboat took 24 women and four children, assuring MSF they would be returned after the men were rescued. However, the boat sped away with the abducted individuals, leaving families devastated.
MSF condemned the act, labeling it “aggressive and irresponsible.” Maurizio Debbane, an MSF spokesperson, demanded swift action from international authorities to reunite the separated families.
Survivors Share Their Harrowing Experiences
Men and boys rescued from the Libya migrant rescue crisis described horrifying moments of separation and desperation. One man reportedly tried to swim after the abductors’ speedboat, hoping to reach his wife and children.
Maria Eliana Tunno, a psychologist aboard the Geo Barents, noted that survivors appeared “exhausted, desperate, and in shock.”
“Survivors constantly worry about their female relatives, who were taken by armed men. They fear endless cycles of abuse and detention,” MSF shared in a statement.
Libya Migrant Rescue Crisis Reflects Ongoing Challenges
The Libya migrant rescue crisis reveals the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean.
While migrant arrivals in Italy decreased to 62,000 in 2024 from over 152,000 in 2023, the risks remain high. Tragically, the United Nations reported 2,124 deaths along this route this year.
Libya continues to present extreme challenges for migrants, with many experiencing violence, abuse, and exploitation. Despite this, individuals fleeing persecution and hardship attempt this perilous journey, often at great personal cost.
Urgent Calls for Global Action
In the wake of the Libya migrant rescue crisis, MSF has urged global authorities to act swiftly. Reuniting families and addressing inhumane conditions faced by migrants in Libya remain top priorities.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect vulnerable individuals.
Collaborative efforts must focus on reducing fatalities and safeguarding those embarking on dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean.
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