Sudanese-Libyan patrol finds 20 bodies, rescues 8 surviving irregular immigrants
Although nationalities of dead are unknown, officials say rescued people are Sundanese who were found on borders of North Darfur region and Libya
FILE PHOTO
KHARTOUM, Sudan
A joint Sudanese-Libyan patrol found 20 bodies and rescued eight surviving irregular immigrants in the desert between the two countries, said an official statement issued on Friday.
According to the Sudanese-Libyan Joint Forces statement, which was cited by the Sudanese official news agency, the bodies were found on the borders of the North Darfur region and Libya. The irregular migrants were traveling to Libya in two vehicles, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) added.
It did not specify the nationalities of the deceased, but it did confirm that the eight people are from Sudan and are receiving medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Col. Ali Said, commander of the Sudanese-Libyan Joint Forces, told SUNA that the joint force is securing the borders between Sudan and Libya and confronting irregular migration and smuggling on the borders.
The Sudanese authorities continue to fight human trafficking gangs that transport migrants to Israel via Egypt or Europe via Libya.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar
