Libyan navy rescues 114 illegal immigrants off western Libyan coast

TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy on Wednesday rescued 114 illegal immigrants off western Libyan coast, Libya's anti-illegal immigration department said.

"Libyan Coast Guard in Tripoli on Wednesday night rescued 114 illegal immigrants of different African nationalities, including 5 women, on board a rubber boat off the coast of Garrabulli on their way to European shores," the department said in a statement later on Wednesday.

"The Navy handed over the rescued immigrants to the anti-illegal department of Tripoli, which provided the immigrants with first aids and food services," the statement added.

The department said the immigrants are from different African nationalities. "There are contacts currently with their embassies to deport them voluntarily to their countries of origins by air through Tripoli airport, in cooperation with the international organization for migration," the statement said.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, because of insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Enditem