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Two Nigerians are among the many migrants feared dead following the capsizing of their boat in the central Mediterranean, as confirmed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The incident took place on November 8, when a vessel carrying 49 migrants and refugees reportedly overturned after strong waves caused its engine to fail, throwing all passengers into the open sea.
The boat had set sail from the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara in the early hours of November 3, aiming to reach Europe.
According to a statement from IOM, only seven survivors, including two Nigerians, were rescued after drifting for six days. The other 42 individuals, including two additional Nigerians, are now presumed dead.
The missing persons include 29 Sudanese nationals, eight Somalis, three Cameroonians, and two Nigerians, highlighting the increasingly perilous risks faced by migrants fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability across Africa.
IOM stated that its humanitarian team provided immediate medical assistance, water, and food to the survivors upon their arrival.
The agency cautioned that this latest tragedy contributes to a rising death toll along the Central Mediterranean Route, which has already exceeded 1,000 recorded deaths in 2025, marking it as one of the world's deadliest migration corridors.
“This tragic event, occurring just weeks after other deadly incidents off Surman and Lampedusa, underscores the ongoing dangers faced by migrants and refugees,” the organization remarked, reiterating calls for enhanced regional cooperation, safer migration pathways, and more effective search-and-rescue operations.
The Mediterranean Sea has seen repeated disasters involving overcrowded and poorly maintained boats operated by smugglers.
In December 2023, a similar shipwreck off the coast of Libya resulted in over 60 individuals missing and presumed dead, with numerous incidents occurring since then.
Libya continues to be a significant departure point for migrants attempting the dangerous journey to Europe, despite the high number of casualties reported each year.
What happened to the migrants in the Mediterranean?
A boat carrying 49 migrants capsized in the central Mediterranean, leading to 42 presumed deaths, including two Nigerians, while only seven survivors were rescued after drifting for six days.
What assistance did the survivors receive?
Upon disembarkation, the survivors received immediate medical assistance, food, and water from the IOM's humanitarian team.
