Libyan Authorities Probe Recovery of 65 Unidentified Migrant Bodies

Specialized search teams locate the bodies of the dead migrants (Criminal Investigation Service in Libya's West)
Specialized search teams locate the bodies of the dead migrants (Criminal Investigation Service in Libya's West)
TT

Libyan Authorities Probe Recovery of 65 Unidentified Migrant Bodies

Specialized search teams locate the bodies of the dead migrants (Criminal Investigation Service in Libya's West)
Specialized search teams locate the bodies of the dead migrants (Criminal Investigation Service in Libya's West)

The Libyan Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said it recovered 65 unidentified bodies of migrants in Wadi Al-Jahria, located in the Al-Shuwerf area, southwest of the country.

All the bodies have been examined, and DNA samples have been taken from the recovered remains for investigations, the CID noted.

It also highlighted that the bodies were reburied in a designated cemetery under the supervision of the Attorney General of the Gharyan Court of Appeal, the Chief Prosecutor of Gharyan Primary Prosecution, and official from Al-Shuwerf Prosecution.

A source from the Gharyan Prosecution told Asharq Al-Awsat that the investigations, which kicked off on Tuesday will take tim to reveal the identity of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their death, saying they probably died during the smuggling process through the desert by human trafficking gangs.

Libya is a major launching point for migrants trying to reach the European through dangerous routes across the desert and the Mediterranean Sea. However, local authorities assert their vigorous efforts to counter migrant flows.



Canadian PM Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon as Evacuations Top 1,000

Smoke rises over Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 5, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises over Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 5, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Canadian PM Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon as Evacuations Top 1,000

Smoke rises over Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 5, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises over Beirut's southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 5, 2024. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadian citizens still in Lebanon on Saturday to sign up to be evacuated on special flights which have already helped more than 1,000 leave as security there deteriorates.

Canada has 6,000 signed up to leave and officials are trying to reach another 2,500 over the weekend, an official in Trudeau's office said, adding that more flights were being added for Monday and Tuesday.

"We've still got seats on airplanes organized by Canada. We encourage all Canadians to take seats on these airplanes and get out of Lebanon while they can," Trudeau said at a summit of leaders from French-speaking countries in France.

Canada has not been able to fill flights with its citizens and has offered seats to people from the Australia, New Zealand, the United States and some European countries, the official in his office said.

Israel has expanded its strikes on Lebanon in recent weeks after nearly a year of exchanging fire with Lebanon's Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Fighting had been mostly limited to the Israel-Lebanon border area, taking place in parallel to Israel's year-old war in Gaza against Hamas.

Trudeau said an immediate ceasefire from both Hezbollah and Israel was needed so the situation could be stabilized and United Nations resolutions could begin to be respected again.