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More than 80 survivors, however two dead in migrant rescues off Libya, charity states

More than 80 migrants were saved, however two died and 3 were missing following two sea rescue operations in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya, the Physicians Without Borders (MSF) charity said on Sunday.

MSF's vessel Geo Barents got over 60 individuals late on Saturday from a rubber rowboat in distress in international waters off Libya. It likewise recuperated one body, and one of the migrants taken on board passed away soon after the rescue.

Another 19 people were gotten from a nearby abandoned Tunisian offshore oil platform, MSF stated. The migrants told rescuers they swam there after the boat they were taking a trip on started taking in water.

3 individuals remained on the boat and were now missing, the charity included.

Mediterranean sea crossings from North Africa to Italy or Malta are among the world's most hazardous migration routes. Last year nearly 2,500 migrants passed away or went missing on those routes, according to the International Organization for Migration.

All the survivors are now recuperating and looked after on the Geo Barents after these distressing ordeals, MSF stated, adding it had requested for permission for them to disembark at the closest place of security possible.

Charity vessels typically take saved migrants to Italy, and the country's right-wing federal government often designates them to disembarkation ports that are far, needing numerous days of navigation to reach them.

(source: Reuters)