The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has confirmed that Nigerians are among 53 migrants feared dead after a rubber boat capsized off the coast of Libya.
In a statement released on Monday, the UN migration agency said the vessel, carrying 55 migrants and refugees, overturned north of Zuwara on February 6, with only two Nigerian women rescued during a search-and-rescue operation by Libyan authorities.
IOM revealed that the tragedy has left devastating personal losses. One of the survivors lost her husband, while the other lost her two babies in the incident.
The organisation said its teams provided emergency medical care to the survivors upon disembarkation, working closely with relevant authorities, as it mourned the growing death toll along the Central Mediterranean migration route.
According to the survivors’ account, the boat departed Al-Zawiya, Libya, around 11pm on February 5, carrying migrants of various African nationalities. About six hours into the journey, the vessel began taking on water before capsizing.
Nigerians remain among those who frequently attempt the perilous Central Mediterranean crossing in hopes of reaching Europe, despite the well-documented dangers.
IOM data shows that at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing in January alone, largely due to multiple “invisible” shipwrecks linked to extreme weather conditions. The agency said more than 1,300 migrants have gone missing on the route in 2025, while the latest tragedy has pushed the number of migrants dead or missing in 2026 to at least 484.
The organisation warned that human trafficking and smuggling networks continue to exploit desperate migrants, using unsafe and unseaworthy boats that expose them to severe risks and abuse.
IOM called for stronger international cooperation, protection-centred migration policies, and expanded safe and regular migration pathways to prevent further loss of life.
