The tragedy occurred is a smuggling warehouse in Mezda, near the city of Gharyan, southwest of Tripoli where a group of migrants were being held. Eleven migrants who sustained severe injuries have been rushed to the hospital.

“This senseless crime is a bleak reminder of the horrors migrants have to endure at the hands of smugglers and traffickers in Libya,” said IOM Libya Chief of Mission Federico Soda. 

“These criminal groups are taking advantage of the instability and security situation to prey on desperate people and exploit their vulnerabilities.” 

IOM is calling on Libyan authorities to immediately launch an investigation to bring those responsible to justice.  

IOM medical staff who referred some of those in critical condition to clinics in the capital and are providing assistance, report that some of the migrants bear old marks of beatings and physical abuse.