Libyan Red Crescent and Libyan Security?Sources reported on Wednesday that at least 17 migrants were killed and nine are missing after their boat drifted in the 'Mediterranean Sea for eight days. In a press release, the Red Crescent stated that volunteers working with the coast guards and naval forces of the Libyan National Army helped to rescue seven survivors in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk near the border with Egypt. Libya is a major transit point for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who are fleeing conflict and poverty in Europe. Security?sources stated that they expect the bodies of nine missing migrants to wash up on the shore in the coming days. The Red Crescent posted pictures on the Internet showing volunteers putting the bodies into black plastic bags before loading them onto pick-up trucks. The country's Attorney General announced on Tuesday that the Tripoli?Criminal Court had sentenced four members from a "criminal group" in western Libya to up to 22 years imprisonment for human trafficking and abductions.

According to the Attorney General, in another case, the Public prosecutors'?office ordered the arrest on Monday of a second gang who allegedly sent migrants out of?Tobruk aboard a dilapidated?boat that capsized and resulted in the death of 38 Sudanese nationals as well as Egyptians and Ethiopians.

(source: Reuters)