115 illegal migrants rescued off coast of Tripoli

Libyan coast guard on Monday announced that 115 illegal immigrants have been rescued off the coast of Tripoli, while they were on their way to European shores.

The coast guard said that the information about the existence of a distressed boat carrying a group of people of various African nationalities reached the authorities in Tripoli.

The source added that two coast guard boats went looking for them and found the makeshift boat, saving the 115 people who were on board.

Staff of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has provided assistance to the immigrants and first aid to the injured.

However, buses from Libyan services, fighting against illegal immigration arrived on the scene to transport the immigrants to reception centres in Tripoli.

The UN Support Mission in Libya, has deplored the situation of migrants in detention centres, where conditions are inhuman, with overcrowding, lack of food and other basic services, including medical care.