- Title: Libya deports dozens of illegal African migrants
- Date: 29th December 2016
- Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (DECEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MITIGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN TRIPOLI VARIOUS OF AFRICAN MIGRANTS GETTING OFF BUS IN FRONT OF AIRPORT VARIOUS OF AFRICAN MIGRANTS QUEUING OUTSIDE AIRPORT VARIOUS OF WORKER FROM INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) STANDING NEXT TO MIGRANTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF LIBYAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OFFICE, ABD AL-GHAFFAR, SAYING: "We are deporting 157 migrants in coordination with the International Organization for Migration, through Mitiga airport." VARIOUS OF AFRICAN MIGRANTS STANDING IN A LINE OUTSIDE AIRPORT VARIOUS OF IOM EMPLOYEE STANDING NEXT TO LIBYAN POLICE OFFICER NEAR MIGRANTS VARIOUS OF MIGRANTS BEING HANDED TRAVEL PAPERS MAN HOLDING MIGRANT TRAVEL PAPERS VARIOUS OF MIGRANT STANDING AND HOLDING TRAVEL PAPER TRAVEL PAPER IN HAND OF MIGRANT VARIOUS OF FEMALE MIGRANTS STANDING WITH LUGGAGE VARIOUS OF CHILDREN STANDING WITH THEIR MOTHERS MOTHER STANDING WITH CHILD ON BACK CHILD ASLEEP ON HIS MOTHER'S BACK MIGRANTS QUEUING OUTSIDE AIRPORT MIGRANTS CARRYING LUGGAGE WHILE ENTERING AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 13th January 2017 15:23
- Keywords: Europe migrants Africa Libya
- Location: TRIPOLI, LIBYA
- City: TRIPOLI, LIBYA
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Asylum/Immigration/Refugees,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015EXRQL1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Libyan authorities deported 157 illegal African migrants on Thursday (December 29).
The migrants are mostly from Mali and were hoping to make it to Europe via the Mediterranean. The deportations were organised in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
A record 5,000 migrants are estimated to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea this year alone.
Those who survive the shipwrecks near the Libyan coast are taken to shelters across the country.
Libya's illegal immigration office has been working with various embassies to arrange for the safe return of the migrants.
Last week authorities deported 140 migrants to Nigeria.
Aid agencies released the latest migrant death tolls after two shipwrecks last Thursday (December 22) were believed to have killed 100 mainly West African migrants.
The two overcrowded inflatable dinghies capsized in the Strait of Sicily after leaving Libya for Italy, IOM and the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said.
IOM figures show 358,403 migrants and refugees had entered Europe by sea in 2016 up to and including December 21, arriving mostly in Greece and Italy.
This month, the European Union and Mali signed an agreement under which Mali will get funds to help create jobs and strengthen border management in return for its help in fighting people smugglers and accepting deportees from Europe. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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