By Gulsen Topcu

TRIPOLI, Libya

At least 104 undocumented migrants have been rescued off Libya's eastern coast, the Libyan navy said Thursday.

In a statement, naval forces affiliated with Libya’s UN-recognized unity government said the migrants were rescued off the coast of Al-Khoms city.

The migrants were Sudanese, Egyptian, Moroccan and Tunisian nationals, the statement said.

They were later referred to the detention center in Tripoli.

Ever since the collapse of the central authority in Libya in 2011, the country’s northwestern coast has become a hub for illegal migration to Italy and other countries in Europe.

Libya represents a major transit point for African migrants seeking access to Europe, especially Italy.