18 dead, over 50 missing as migrant boat capsizes near Libya’s Tobruk

(Web Desk): At least 18 migrants have died and over 50 are missing after a boat capsized near the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk.

The tragic incident occurred over the weekend and was confirmed last night by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to the IOM, 10 people have been rescued so far, while search and rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining passengers.

Tobruk is a coastal city near the Egyptian border and is one of the key departure points in Libya for migrants attempting to reach Europe.

In its statement, the IOM said the recent tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangerous journeys people are forced to undertake in search of safety and a better life.

According to the United Nations, Libya has been plagued by civil war and instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The country has since become a hub for human trafficking.