Reports from Libya are indicating that at least 30 immigrants dead inside the Sea between Libya and Italy.
Most of those reported dead are Somalis as family members say.
But Libyan authorities said they rescued more than 50 immigrants from deferent backgrounds.
The Libyan News Agency said:
Patrols from the General Directorate of Coast Security, under the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, have rescued and intercepted two boats carrying a total of 52 migrants of various nationalities. The operations took place at different distances in the sea north of Sirte.
Brigadier General Abdelhafiz Massoud, Deputy Director of the Coast Security Directorate, told the Libyan News Agency that the patrol rescued a boat at around 7 a.m. Friday. The vessel was about 180 nautical miles north of the city and carried 26 migrants.
The migrants on the first boat included people from Bangladesh, Sudan, Egypt, and Somalia. Among them were two Sudanese women.
Massoud added that the patrol also intercepted another boat at 10 a.m. the same day, about 190 nautical miles north of Sirte. This vessel was carrying 26 migrants, including two Somali women, and others from Sudan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
He confirmed that the rescue operations were successful. The migrants were moved to a safe location in preparation for legal procedures.
He noted that the relevant authorities will hand the migrants over to the Illegal Migration Control Agency in Sirte, following standard legal protocols.
