897 migrants intercepted off Libyan coast: IOM

TRIPOLI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that 897 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya during the week that ended on Saturday.
The humanitarian agency reported that among those intercepted were 54 women and 29 children. It also said five bodies were recovered off the Libyan coast.
Since the start of the year, a total of 12,584 migrants have been intercepted, while 411 have died and 512 are missing at sea, according to IOM data.
The Libyan coast has been a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, with thousands making the perilous journey each year.
Libya has faced instability since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, creating a vacuum exploited by human traffickers. ■