Bodies of at least 65 migrants discovered in mass grave in Libya

A mass grave was discovered this week in southwest Libya, containing the bodies of at least 65 migrants, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday (March 22). “deeply shocked and alarmed”.

A spokesperson for this UN agency explained that the “pauper’s grave” had been discovered “by the authorities responsible for security” of the country, through which many exiles fleeing unstable African countries or marked by economic difficulties and climate change pass.

Probably died trying to cross the desert

“The circumstances of their death and their nationalities remain unknown”, notes the IOM in a press release, which does not specify whether the remains correspond to men or women. The organization believes the migrants are dead “during their clandestine crossing of the desert”.

The IOM also explains that the Libyan authorities are investigating these deaths, and “asks them, as well as United Nations partner agencies, to ensure the recovery of bodies in dignity, the identification and transfer of the remains of deceased migrants, and to inform families and assist them.”