TRIPOLI, June 24 -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday said that 973 migrants were intercepted and returned off the coast of Libya in the past week.

"From 16 to 22 June 2024, 973 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya," IOM said in a statement.

The migrants include 44 women and 27 children, IOM said, adding that 12 bodies of migrants were recovered off the Libyan coast.

So far this year, a total of 8,754 migrants have been intercepted, while 332 died and 528 others went missing off the Libyan coast, IOM said.

In 2023, the total number of migrants being intercepted and returned stood at 17,190.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has faced persistent insecurity and turmoil, prompting a continuous exodus of migrants, primarily from Africa, attempting the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores.

  - Xinhua