Libyan authorities intercepted and forcibly returned 27,116 migrants to shore during 2025, representing a significant 24.6% increase compared to the 21,762 individuals intercepted in 2024. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) annual report, while the majority of these operations were concentrated along the western coastline—specifically in Tripoli, Zawiya, Misrata, and Zuwara—intercepts were also increasingly documented in the eastern region of Cyrenaica near Benghazi, Derna, and Tobruk, highlighting the expanding geographic scope of maritime enforcement.
More than 26,000 migrants returned to Libya in 2025 as Mediterranean death toll mounts
The central Mediterranean route, encompassing Libya and Tunisia, remains one of the world’s deadliest migration paths, with 1,314 individuals recorded as dead or missing in 2025. Data from early 2026 indicates that 53 migrants, including women and minors, were intercepted in the first ten days of January, though no new incidents were reported between January 4 and 10. These figures emerge as Libya continues to serve as a primary transit hub, currently hosting an estimated 928,839 migrants from 44 nationalities, with the highest concentration (52%) residing in the western region.
IOM Reports Interception and Return of 753 Migrants to Libya in One Week
Amidst these mounting pressures, more than 16,000 migrants utilized voluntary return programs in 2025, supported by donors including the European Union, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Despite these efforts to facilitate safe departures, the IOM reiterated that it plays no direct role in maritime interceptions or rescues. The organization maintains its firm stance that Libya cannot be classified as a safe port for the disembarkation of migrants and refugees, citing persistent security challenges and humanitarian risks.