At Least 11 Sudanese Migrants Killed in Libya Desert Car Crash

At least 11 Sudanese migrants were killed in a car crash in Libya, highlighting ongoing dangers faced by those fleeing conflict. The crash occurred 90 kilometers from Kufra and involved a vehicle collision with a truck. Human traffickers exploit chaos in Libya and the worsening civil war in Sudan is driving more migrants to seek refuge, revealing deep humanitarian crises in both regions.

At least eleven Sudanese migrants tragically lost their lives in a car crash in the desert region of Libya, as confirmed by local authorities. This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by those fleeing the civil war in Sudan. The collision occurred early Friday, approximately 90 kilometers north of Kufra, when the migrants’ vehicle collided with a truck, resulting in the deaths of three women, two children, and the vehicle’s Libyan driver, according to the local Ambulance and Emergency Service director, Ibrahim Abu al-Hassan.
In addition to the fatalities, the crash injured a 65-year-old man and his 10-year-old son. This is not an isolated event; earlier this month, a similar tragedy unfolded when seven Sudanese nationals were discovered dead after their car broke down in the desert, stranding 34 migrants in a perilous situation along a trafficker’s route between Chad and Libya.
Since the NATO-backed uprising that led to the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has transformed into a significant transit hub for migrants fleeing dire circumstances in Africa and the Middle East. The country, which borders six nations and boasts a long Mediterranean coastline, has become a primary route for desperate individuals aiming for Europe.
The chaos has only intensified the activities of human traffickers, who exploit the region’s instability to smuggle migrants through Libya’s borders with nations such as Chad, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia.
The conflict in Sudan has worsened dramatically since April 2023, when tensions between the Sudanese military and the powerful paramilitary organization, the Rapid Support Forces, erupted into widespread street fighting. This on-going civil war has claimed thousands of lives, displaced over 14 million people, and thrown parts of the country into famine.
This series of accidents involving Sudanese migrants underlines the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, with many fleeing violent conflicts in search of safety and better living conditions. The risks they face during such journeys are increasingly perilous, as evidenced by these tragic incidents.
Additionally, Libya remains a focal point of concern for humanitarian organizations worldwide, as they continue to address the needs of migrants who are often left vulnerable and, at times, exploited. The international community faces mounting pressure to respond to these issues and provide support to those affected by the chaos in both Libya and Sudan.

In summary, the recent deaths of Sudanese migrants in Libya underscore the dangers faced by individuals fleeing conflict and seeking refuge. This specific incident is one of many tragedies that reflect the ongoing instability in Libya, a key transit country for migrants. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate as conflict in Sudan leads to mass displacement, further exacerbating the plight of those seeking safety.

Original Source: www.euronews.com