Libya detains 850 migrants off coast

Libya’s coastguard claimed to have intercepted 850 migrants off the coast near Sabratha, west of the capital Tripoli. The migrants, which included 79 women, hailed from several African nations and were sailing on seven inflatable boats in hopes of reaching Europe.

The incident comes as the United Nations prepares for its first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, where leaders will deliberate on how to tackle a deepening migrant crisis.

More than 30,000 migrants have traveled from Libya to Italy this year, writes the BBC. The lack of an authoritative government structure allows "people-smugglers" to flourish in Libya, which is why, experts say, more and more people from sub-Saharan Africa are attempting the “dangerous 300 km journey” to the island of Lampedusa in Italy.

Libya, which admits its failure in preventing migrants from crossing to Italy, has accused the E.U. of not offering the help it promised to allow officials to manage the crisis. There has been a surge in the flow of migrants since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, notes Reuters. With the onset of calm weather conditions in summer, the number of illegal crossings is expected to rise even further.