360 illegal immigrants rescued off western coast of Libya

TRIPOLI, Jan.16 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Coast Guards on Monday rescued 360 illegal immigrants off Libya's western coast, according to a Coast Guards official.

"Patrol members received a distress call off the coast of Garrabulli city, some 60 km east of the capital Tripoli. Upon arrival, we found a boat with dozens of immigrants on board, and all of them were rescued," Coast Guards Patrol Commander Nasser Al-Gammudi told Xinhua.

"Following the completion of the first operation, we received a new call about two boats off the coast of Zuwara, 120 km west of Tripoli. Upon arrival, they (the immigrants) were rescued without any deaths," Al-Gammudi added.

The rescued migrants were of Arab and African nationalities. They were taken to the Tripoli naval base and transferred to reception centers of the anti-illegal immigration department.

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