Khums, Libya (Running Africa) – Libyan authorities have recovered at least 15 migrant bodies that washed ashore near the coastal city of Khums, approximately 118 kilometers east of Tripoli, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

The Emergency Medicine and Support Centre confirmed that the bodies were retrieved from the shoreline and later buried. Images released by local authorities showed medical personnel wearing protective equipment while handling the remains.

Officials have not yet released details regarding the victims’ identities or the circumstances that led to their deaths.

Libya remains one of the main transit hubs for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe. Since the country’s political instability deepened following the 2011 uprising, thousands of people—many from sub-Saharan Africa—have travelled through Libya to escape conflict, insecurity, and economic hardship. 

The discovery comes as Libya continues to face scrutiny over allegations that migrants attempting to reach Europe have been subjected to trafficking, exploitation, and forms of modern-day slavery by criminal networks and armed groups.

The journey often involves crossing vast stretches of desert before attempting the perilous Mediterranean route, one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels continue to place migrants at significant risk of drowning.

The latest discovery highlights the human cost of irregular migration and the persistent challenges facing African migrants searching for safety and better opportunities beyond their home countries.