A migrant boat carrying approximately 60 people, including women and children, capsized off the coast of eastern Libya on Tuesday, resulting in at least 50 individuals reported dead or missing, according to local authorities. The incident occurred near Bardaa Island, close to the city of Tobruk, a key point along migration routes across the Mediterranean Sea.

The Libyan Coast Guard confirmed that 10 survivors were able to swim to Bardaa Island to escape the sinking vessel. Efforts to locate additional survivors and recover missing persons are ongoing, officials said.

Libya remains one of the primary departure points for migrants seeking passage to Europe, often undertaking perilous journeys across the Mediterranean in overcrowded and unsafe boats. This latest shipwreck adds to the growing toll of lives lost at sea as thousands continue to attempt the route each year despite the dangers.

Coast Guard authorities have not yet provided details on the cause of the capsizing or the nationalities of those on board. Search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean continue to face significant challenges due to the high volume of departure attempts and limited maritime resources.