Libyan coast guards rescue 234 illegal immigrants off western coast

TRIPOLI, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Libyan coast guards on Wednesday rescued 234 illegal immigrants off western Libyan coast, navy spokesman said.

"Tripoli's coast guards managed to rescue 234 immigrants of Arab and African nationalities, including women and children, who were on board two broken rubber boats," Ayob Qassem, navy spokesman, told Xinhua.

"The rescue operation was carried out in two separate phases. The first boat was rescued north of Mellita area, and the second boat was rescued north of Zuwara city, 120 west of the capital Tripoli," Qassem added.

After providing humanitarian aid, the rescued immigrants were taken to Tripoli naval base and handed over to the Anti-Illegal Immigration Department.

January witnesses increased flow of illegal immigrants rescued off Libyan coast. Nearly 1,500 immigrants have been rescued by Libyan navy since the beginning of the month.

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