On Friday, eleven Sudanese migrants were killed in a car crash in Libya’s desert, adding to the ongoing tragedy faced by migrants fleeing civil war in Sudan. The incident occurred near Kufra and involved a collision with a truck. Human traffickers are exploiting Libya’s instability, as conflict in Sudan continues to displace thousands. The country has become a significant transit hub due to its borders with six nations and a lengthy Mediterranean coastline.
At least eleven Sudanese migrants tragically lost their lives in a car accident in the Libyan desert, marking yet another sorrowful event linked to the ongoing flight from conflict in Sudan. Authorities reported that the crash occurred early Friday morning, approximately 90 kilometers north of Kufra, involving a vehicle carrying immigrants colliding with a truck, according to Libya’s Ambulance and Emergency Services. The deceased comprised three women, two children, and the vehicle’s Libyan driver, as confirmed by Ibrahim Abu al-Hassan, the service’s director. In addition, a 65-year-old man and his 10-year-old son sustained injuries during this tragic incident.
This accident is the latest in a series of deadly episodes concerning Sudanese migrants in Libya. Earlier this month, seven Sudanese individuals were discovered deceased after their vehicle malfunctioned in the desert territory known for traffickers’ routes between Chad and Libya. A total of 34 migrants aboard that vehicle found themselves stranded for several days with no means of escape—a harrowing scenario now all too familiar for those fleeing crisis in their home country.
Libya has become a focal point for migrants escaping the severe consequences of war and poverty across Africa and the Middle East, as they pursue routes to Europe. Since the NATO-backed uprising which led to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has experienced significant turmoil and chaos, creating a vacuum where criminal operations thrive.
This North African nation shares its border with six different countries and boasts a lengthy coastline along the Mediterranean, making it a prime transition hub for desperate migrants. Human traffickers have exploited this chaos, smuggling individuals across Libya’s frontiers with neighbors including Chad, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Since April 2023, the number of Sudanese fleeing to Libya has surged in the face of escalating violence between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The clash has escalated into a widespread civil war, responsible for the deaths of thousands, displacing over 14 million people, and prompting significant humanitarian crises, with famine conditions rising in certain regions of the country. It is a dire situation, as many just want to escape the devastation and find safety.
In conclusion, the tragic death of eleven Sudanese migrants in Libya underscores the perilous journey many undertake while fleeing war and poverty. With the region’s instability and the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the plight of migrants remains dire as they face the dual threats of trafficking and natural disasters. Continuous international attention and action are crucial in addressing these complex humanitarian issues.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
