Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported recovering 11 bodies and rescuing dozens of people off the coast of Libya, criticizing the migration policies of both North African and European countries. The incident occurred on Friday, when MSF's Geo Barents rescue vessel conducted a nine-hour search operation prompted by a distress call from the German NGO Sea-Watch, which also aids refugees and migrants.

"While the reason behind this tragedy remains unclear, people continue to risk dangerous routes in desperate attempts to find safety. Europe must establish safe and legal pathways for them," MSF stated in a post on X. "This catastrophe must end!"

Sea-Watch indicated uncertainty about whether the bodies were from a previously unknown shipwreck and stated that they had contacted Libya’s coastguard to recover the deceased, but received no response.

"The so-called Libyan coastguard, funded by the EU, ignored our demand to retrieve the bodies," Sea-Watch added.

Thousands of people attempt to reach Europe from Africa via Libya, with Italy's Lampedusa island being the nearest European destination. They undertake the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to escape war, poverty, and persecution.

Italy, aiming to stem migration flows, has called on Libya and neighboring Tunisia to do more to prevent people from embarking on sea journeys. Italy has also tightened restrictions on rescue ship operations, arguing that they encourage migration to Europe—a claim denied by the charities involved.

On Friday, Italy enforced its policy by directing the MSF rescue vessel to transport the 165 people rescued in the Mediterranean operation to the northern port of Genoa. This decision, located over 650 nautical miles (1,200km) from their position, significantly delayed assistance to the rescued individuals compared to nearby Sicilian ports.

The central Mediterranean route remains the world's most dangerous migrant crossing, with the United Nations documenting over 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the area since 2014. In 2023 alone, more than 3,000 refugees and migrants went missing while attempting to use this route, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Italy's interior ministry reported a decrease in arrivals to the country in 2024, with fewer than 21,800 people arriving since the beginning of the year, compared to nearly 53,300 during the same period last year.

Italy Heads to Polls for EU Elections with Giorgia Meloni Leading the Charge

Europe Votes: Key Issues in the 2024 European Parliament Election

Dutch Govt May Allocate €3 Billion to Clean Up Tata Steel Plant