TRIPOLI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Friday confirmed that 6 bodies of illegal immigrants have been washed ashore in the Libyan city of Khoms, some 120 km east of the capital Tripoli.
"At least 6 bodies of migrants washed up on the shore of Khoms, Libya, this morning," IOM tweeted.
IOM also said that nearly 90 illegal immigrants were also rescued by the Libyan coast guard.
IOM on Friday called on the European Union and the African Union for an urgent approach to the situation of illegal immigrants in Libya.
"IOM renews its call to the European Union and the African Union, for an urgent shift in approach to the situation in Libya. Immediate action must be taken to dismantle the detention system and find alternative solutions to safeguard lives," IOM said in a statement.
IOM said that during the past 48 hours, more than 600 illegal immigrants, including women and children, have been discovered on the central Mediterranean route.
IOM estimated that more than 8,600 illegal immigrants have been returned to overcrowded detention centers, where the UN documented "unacceptable conditions, violations of human rights and disappearances".
Thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe from Libya, because of the insecurity and chaos that have plagued Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
The United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port for disembarkation of refugees because of the deteriorating security conditions.
