Thousands of refugees and migrants trapped in detention centres across Libya should be evacuated to Europe, the international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said.

The International Organization for Migration said a boat carrying dozens of Europe-bound migrants has capsized off Libya’s Mediterranean coast, as the search for survivors continues.

Libya’s coast guard rescued 290 migrants clinging to inflatable rafts on Friday in two operations near the capital Tripoli, a naval forces spokesman said.

Libyan Coast Guard rescued 61 illegal immigrants, among them a child off the coast of Zawiya city west of Libya.

Libya’s coast guard said it rescued nearly 150 Europe-bound migrants, including women and children, off the country’s Mediterranean coast.

In Abu Salim Detention Centre, in southern Tripoli in Libya, refugees and migrants say the price of food has more than doubled since clashes started on April 4.

Libya’s coast guard said on Wednesday it has rescued 96 migrants off the Mediterranean coast while attempting to reach Europe.

Pope Francis has appealed for the evacuation of women, children and sick migrants trapped in Libyan detention centres as soon as possible through humanitarian corridors.

Scores of vulnerable refugees and migrants have reportedly been freed from detention centres only to be forced to fight for militias linked to the UN-recognised Libyan government on the frontlines of its offensive against renegade General Khalifa Haftar.

Amnesty International has called for a war crimes investigation into the shooting at an illegal migrants detention center in Qasir Benghashir, Tripoli.