40 migrants killed in Libyan detention centre attack

World Wednesday 03/July/2019 14:02 PM
By: Times News Service
40 migrants killed in Libyan detention centre attack

Tripoli: Up to 40 migrants were killed in an attack on a detention centre on the outskirts in Libyan capital of Tripoli, according to government officials.

Close to 80 people were injured in the attack, which was said to be an air-strike by the UN-backed state government.

Anti-government forces led by warlord General Khalifa Haftar have accused government forces of bombarding their settlements.

Most of the dead are believed to be Africans, attempting to reach Europe on clandestine sea crossings from Libya.

Thousands of migrants, travelling to Europe, are stopped and held in government-run detention centres.

The country has been torn by violence and division since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.