Libyan authorities have uncovered multiple mass graves in the southeastern desert, revealing the bodies of dozens of migrants who were reportedly tortured and killed by human traffickers. The discoveries highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Libya, which remains a key transit point for migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Grisly Discoveries in Kufra
Authorities announced on Sunday that they had found a mass grave containing 28 sub-Saharan migrants in the southeastern district of Kufra. The bodies were discovered near a human trafficking site where 76 migrants had been detained and tortured before being rescued during a late-night raid. Three individuals—one Libyan and two foreigners—were arrested in connection with the case.
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In a separate incident, nearly 50 bodies were recovered from two additional mass graves in Kufra. The first site, located on a farm, contained 19 bodies, while the second was found near a migrant detention center, where at least 30 bodies were unearthed. Survivors reported that as many as 70 people may have been buried at the site, prompting authorities to continue their search.
Shocking images posted online show malnourished and scarred survivors, further highlighting the brutal treatment endured by migrants in Libya. Some victims were allegedly shot before being buried, according to humanitarian groups assisting survivors.
Libya: A Hub for Human Trafficking
Libya has been a major route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. The country’s geographic location, just 300 kilometers from Italy, makes it a primary departure point for traffickers smuggling people on dangerous sea journeys.
Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been plagued by political instability, with rival governments controlling different regions. The resulting chaos has allowed human traffickers to operate with impunity, exploiting migrants for profit.
Migrants are often held in makeshift detention centers where they face forced labor, physical abuse, sexual violence, and extortion. Smugglers frequently demand ransoms from families before releasing captives. In a recent case in El Wahat, eastern Libya, traffickers detained 263 migrants and demanded payments of up to $17,000 per person for their release.
Ongoing Crisis and International Condemnation
The discovery of mass graves in Libya is not an isolated incident. Last year, at least 65 bodies were found in a grave in southwest Libya, a case that the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) described as “deeply shocking.”
Human rights groups have long condemned Libya’s treatment of migrants, accusing authorities of complicity in abuses. Many migrants intercepted at sea and returned to Libya end up in government-run detention centers, where they suffer further mistreatment. The UN has documented cases of torture, rape, and extortion in these facilities, fueling calls for international intervention.
Despite these atrocities, thousands of migrants continue to risk their lives in search of safety and opportunity. In 2024 alone, more than 2,200 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean, according to UNICEF. The IOM has warned that without meaningful action, the humanitarian toll will continue to rise.
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The recent discoveries in Kufra reinforce the urgent need for stronger measures to combat human trafficking and protect migrants in Libya. Rights organizations and international agencies are urging Libyan authorities to dismantle trafficking networks, improve migrant protections, and hold perpetrators accountable.