Two mass graves with bodies of nearly 50 migrants found in southeastern Libya

|Published 12:50 PM ET, Sunday February 9, 2025|

Cairo: Libyan authorities have recently uncovered two mass graves in the southeastern city of Kufra, containing nearly 50 bodies believed to be migrants. The first grave, discovered on Friday, held 19 bodies, some of whom appeared to have been shot before burial. The second grave was found following a raid on a human trafficking center and contained at least 30 bodies, with survivors indicating that up to 70 individuals might have been buried there.

These tragic discoveries highlight the ongoing crisis faced by migrants attempting to transit through Libya to reach Europe. Since the 2011 uprising that ousted Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has been mired in instability, making it a hotspot for human trafficking. Migrants often endure severe abuses, including forced labor, beatings, rape, and torture, at the hands of traffickers who exploit the country’s lawlessness. Even those intercepted and placed in government-run detention centers are not spared from such mistreatment.

This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive international intervention to address the root causes of migration and to establish protective measures for vulnerable populations. A forward-thinking approach should involve collaborative efforts to stabilize the region, dismantle trafficking networks, and create safe pathways for migrants. Without such measures, the cycle of exploitation and tragedy is likely to persist.