More than 1,000 migrants drown in Mediterranean so far this year, IOM says

At least 1,000 individuals have died after their boats capsized while trying to cross over to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has announced.

According to IOM's Missing Migrants Project, the death toll does not include the latest shipwreck, which occurred over the weekend off the coast of Libya

"The total has risen even further, reinforcing the urgent need for strengthened regional cooperation, expanded safe and regular migration pathways, and more effective search and rescue operations to prevent further loss of life," a statement attributed to the IOM Spokesperson said on Wednesday.

On November 8, Libyan authorities carried out a search and rescue operation following the capsizing of a rubber boat near Al Buri Oil Field.

"According to survivors, the vessel, carrying 49 migrants and refugees (47 men and 2 women), departed from Zuwara on November 3 around 03:00 am. Approximately six hours later, high waves caused the engine to fail, capsizing the boat and throwing all passengers overboard."

"After drifting at sea for six days, only seven men, four from Sudan, two from Nigeria, and one from Cameroon were rescued. Tragically, 42 individuals remain missing and are presumed dead, including 29 from Sudan, eight from Somalia, three from Cameroon, and two from Nigeria," IOM added.

The organisation's teams provided the survivors with emergency medical care, water, and food upon arrival at the disembarkation point in coordination with relevant authorities

The tragic incident happened just weeks after other deadly incidents off Surman and Lampedusa, underscoring the persistent dangers faced by migrants and refugees along the Central Mediterranean Route.

The incident that occurred late October 27, when an overcrowded wooden boat capsized off the coast of Libya, left at least 18 migrants confirmed dead.

A statement by the IOM said among the survivors were 29 Sudanese men, one Sudanese woman, and one Sudanese child; 18 Bangladeshi men; 12 Pakistani men; and three Somali men, implying that there were at least 64 survivors.

The total tally of survivors was reported to be over 90 individuals, with many believed to be people from Sudan trying to escape the escalation of the war there.

Rescue operations ran through the night but were called off in the late morning hours of October 28.

The Central Mediterranean remains the deadliest migration route on record, according to the IOM.

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