Three Libyan sources as well as the International Organization for Migration said that four migrants were rescued more than five days after the boat that was supposed to take them to Europe capsized near Libya.

Thirty-one migrants are still missing. However, 10 migrants have been confirmed dead and another 10 confirmed as having died in the tragedy off Tobruk, in eastern Libya. Six bodies were recovered Saturday after washing up on the shore.

IOM stated that search efforts are continuing. Security sources confirmed that the migrants were from Egypt and Sudan.

Libya is a transit route for migrants. Many of them are from sub-Saharan Africa. They risk their lives in order to escape conflict and poverty by crossing deserts and seas to reach 'Europe.

According to U.N. statistics collected at the end of last year, its 100'municipalities' now house well over 900,000. Reporting by Ayman Al-Werfali, writing by Ahmed Elumami, editing by Kevin Liffey

(source: Reuters)