MSF: Gunmen abduct women and children from migrants’ boat off Libya

Armed men on speedboats abducted 24 women and four children from a deflating migrant dinghy off Libya’s coast Thursday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Friday according to the Associated Press. The incident occurred in international waters as 112 migrants, mostly from Eritrea, Yemen, and Ethiopia, attempted the Mediterranean crossing.

MSF’s rescue ship Geo Barents saved 83 men and boys, including 70 pulled from the sea after some jumped overboard. Witnesses said the attackers, claiming to be Libyan Coast Guard, fired shots and later sped away with the women and children.

The survivors, described as traumatized and desperate, expressed fears for their abducted relatives, who face likely abuse and violence in Libya. MSF condemned the "unacceptable" actions and urged regional authorities to reunite families.

Libya remains a major departure point for migrants; over 2,100 have died attempting the Central Mediterranean crossing this year, according to the UN.