Libya: 28 migrants dead in desert tragedy found in mass grave

In a chilling discovery in south-east Libya, authorities have unearthed on February 09 the bodies of at least 28 migrants from a mass grave located in the desert north of Kufra. This tragic find follows a similar discovery just days earlier, where 19 bodies were found on a farm in the same region.

Both graves are believed to be connected to the growing issue of human trafficking in the country, which has become a key route for migrants attempting to reach Europe. The discovery of the latest grave came after a raid on a human trafficking site, where 76 migrants were rescued from horrific conditions of captivity and torture.

Libyan officials have stated that the grave’s discovery was linked to a human trafficking network, with a Libyan national and two foreign suspects arrested in connection with the case. The Attorney General’s office described the gang as one that deliberately deprived migrants of their freedom, subjecting them to cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment.

The authorities have confirmed that the bodies are being examined for autopsy, and investigators are looking into potential ties to organized smuggling operations. Survivor testimonies are being gathered to help authorities track down those responsible for these atrocities.

The al-Abreen charity, which helps migrants in eastern and southern Libya, said that some were apparently shot and killed before being buried in the mass grave.

The continued uncovering of mass graves underscores the desperate plight of migrants in Libya, which has faced instability since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Libya has become a central hub for migrants fleeing dire conditions in their home countries, often enduring perilous desert crossings and exploitation by criminal networks.

In 2024 alone, the Mediterranean claimed the lives of more than 2,200 individuals, according to the United Nations.