More than 20 migrants, including men, women, and children from Syria, have gone missing in the central Mediterranean while attempting to cross from Libya to Italy, according to Italian media reports. The journey began on Sunday in an overcrowded boat, which capsized a few hours after leaving Libya.

Survivors reported that 28 people were on board, and each paid between 500 and 1,000 euros for the crossing, with none of the passengers wearing life jackets. The Italian Coast Guard rescued seven survivors three days later, who were found clinging to the upturned boat about 20 kilometers southwest of the island of Lampedusa. The remaining migrants are still unaccounted for.

At the same time, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that 979 migrants were intercepted in the Mediterranean and returned to Libya between August 25 and 31. These individuals were returned to cities including Tripoli, Zawiya, Sabratha, Zliten, and Tobruk.

The IOM also reported that since the beginning of 2024, over 15,000 migrants have been intercepted and sent back to Libya. The organization further revealed that 443 migrants have died this year, and 611 remain missing, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by those attempting the treacherous crossing to Europe.