As many as 439 migrants, including 164 Bangladeshis, have been rescued and detained by the Libyan Coast Guard from the Mediterranean Sea while they were on their way to Europe.
The Bangladesh mission in Libya has confirmed the matter to the media.
The coast guards rescued the 439 migrants — all either African or Asian — from several boats in the sea on Thursday.
They had been taken to the naval base in Tripoli following the rescue operation, a Libyan navy spokesperson said.
Later, they were handed over to the immigration authorities. The detained migrants are currently at a shelter camp.
At least 9,216 migrants trying to go to Europe through the sea have been rescued by the coast guards as of May 2021.
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The number was 7,100 in the first five months last year, according to Libyan Interior Minister Khaled Tijani Mazen.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees data states that 11,000 migrants from different countries made their way to Libya illegally through the sea from January to April this year.
More than 700 migrants died between January and May 21 while attempting to cross the sea. Last year, 1,400 people died while trying to do so.
It may be recalled that on May 18, the Tunisian navy rescued 68 Bangladeshis after a boat carrying them capsized in the sea. Thirteen Bangladeshis are still missing.
They were on their way to the Italian shores from Libya when the boat capsized in the sea.
