(AFP) As violence in Libya has waned this year, the number of would-be migrants to Europe intercepted so far has doubled compared to the same period of 2020, experts say.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says 20,257 people have been intercepted at sea and returned to Libya so far this year.
The North African country remains one of the main departure points for tens of thousands of migrants, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, hoping to attempt the dangerous Mediterranean crossing.
Most try to reach the Italian coast around 300 kilometres (186 miles) away.
A Libyan navy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also told AFP of a “100 percent increase in departures from January to July” compared with the same period last year, without giving figures.
