U.N.: At least 240 migrants dead in shipwrecks off Libya


Over the past 24 hours, at least 240 migrants have drowned off the coast of Libya, despite an attempt by five ships to rescue them, the International Organization for Migration said Thursday.
The organization's chief spokesman, Leonard Doyle, said several rubber dinghies were packed with migrants, and hundreds "succumbed to the waves of Libya in very bad weather." On one dinghy, survivors said they departed Libya at 3 a.m. Wednesday, and started to sink just a few hours later. Of the 26 survivors, 20 were women and six were children from West Africa; rescuers recovered 12 bodies from that wreck.
More and more smugglers are putting migrants on "completely unsafe" dinghies because the fishing boats they had been using have been seized by European navies, Doyle said. IOM's Italy spokesman, Flavio di Giacomo, said rescued migrants report that smugglers are telling them that because the Libyan coast guard is being trained by European partners, if the migrants are rescued, soon they will be brought back to Libya rather than Italy; that could be why they are making the risky journey, despite poor weather. In October, 27,388 migrants arrived in Italy, more than the previous two Octobers combined, di Giacomo said. So far this year, 4,220 migrants have died in the Mediterranean.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The Week Unwrapped: Can bullfighting win over young Spaniards
Podcast Plus, is online fandom inherently unhealthy? And is Putin’s economy running out of gas?
-
Heirs and Graces: an ‘enthralling’ deep dive into the decline of nobility
The Week Recommends Eleanor Doughty explores the ‘bizarre fascination’ with the British aristocracy
-
The week’s best photos
In Pictures A monstrous pumpkin, a sumo showdown, and more
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents