More Than 200 Migrants Rescued from Secret Prison in Eastern Libya

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Benghazi: Libyan security authorities have freed more than 200 migrants from what they described as a secret underground prison in the southeastern town of Kufra, where they were held for months, and in some cases years, in inhumane conditions, security sources said on Sunday.

The raid uncovered detention cells nearly three metres underground, allegedly operated by a Libyan human trafficker who has not yet been arrested, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Some of the migrants had been held captive for up to two years, they said.

“This is one of the most serious crimes against humanity uncovered in the region,” one of the sources said, describing the conditions in which the migrants were detained.

The migrants, including women and children, are from sub-Saharan African countries, mainly Somalia and Eritrea. Kufra, located around 1,700 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli, is a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe.

Libya has become a major corridor for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. While the country’s oil-based economy attracts job seekers, weak security and the presence of human trafficking networks have left migrants vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

The discovery comes amid growing concerns over migrant safety in eastern Libya. Last week, at least 21 bodies of migrants were found in a mass grave in the region, with survivors showing signs of torture. Authorities said a suspect has been referred to court in connection with the case.

In February last year, 39 migrant bodies were recovered from dozens of mass graves in Kufra. The town also hosts tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled the conflict that erupted in Sudan in 2023.