Libya’s coast guard has intercepted 31 Europe-bound illegal migrants off the country’s Mediterranean coast.

The Libyan coastguards on Sunday denied reports about more than 50 illegal immigrants drowning off the country’s coast.

A boat with more than 50 people on board has capsized off the Libyan coast, the United Nations said on Saturday, the latest accident involving migrants trying to reach Europe.

The Libyan Coast Guard intercepted 493 migrants, including 28 women and five children, in six operations this week near the capital Tripoli.

The spokesman for Libyan Navy Ayoub Qassim has denied accusations made against Libyan coastguards saying they have been selling immigrants to human traffickers.

The Libyan Coast Guard confirmed the rescue of 300 illegal immigrants aboard three separate rubber boats, northeast of Tripoli.

Libya’s coastguards have intercepted 108 Europe-bound illegal migrants off the country’s Mediterranean coast.

About 40 people are feared dead or missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sunk off the coast of Libya, the United Nations’ refugee agency said on Tuesday. Around 60 others may have been rescued, the UNHCR added.

A German charity said Monday it had rescued some 100 people from a collapsing dinghy in the Mediterranean while being threatened by the Libyan coastguard.

The Libyan coastguards have intercepted 122 Europe-bound illegal migrants off the country’s Mediterranean coast in recent days.