TRIPOLI: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 996 illegal immigrants were returned to Libya last week after being rescued off the country's coast. 

The migrants were apprehended at sea and returned to Libya between May 8 and 14, according to a statement released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

It claimed that 5,711 illegal immigrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far this year, including 493 women and 261 minors. 

In 2022, according to the International Organization for Migration, 114 illegal immigrants perished and 438 were missing on the Central Mediterranean route.As per  UN organisation, 32,425 illegal immigrants were rescued and returned to Libya in 2021, while 662 died and 891 went missing off Libya's coast in the Central Mediterranean route.

Since the assassination of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the North African country has become a favourite point of departure for illegal immigrants seeking to traverse the Mediterranean Sea to European ports.

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